Team Licensing, Sponsorship, TV, Radio, etc. Deals:
Atlanta Braves
Turner Sports: signed long-term extension to telecast Atlanta Braves baseball games nationally on TBS thru 2012 season on 11/17/05- + as part of the agreement, Turner will continue to air approximately 125 Major League Baseball games on TBS and Turner South- + agreement guarantees a minimum of 45 games on national carrier TBS through the life of the contract
The Braves receive $13M annually from their radio rights deal
Arizona Diamondbacks
Bank One Corp.: signed 30-year deal worth 66M to gain naming rights to the Diamondbacks' ballpark- + Bank One was bought by JP Morgan Chase & Co. in May 2004 and Bank One Ballpark was renamed Chase Field in September 2006
FSN Arizona: signed 8-year television rights agreement that will make FSN Arizona the exclusive telecast rights holder for the D-backs starting in 2008 thru 2015 on 7/13/07. Under the terms of the new agreement, FSN will televise up to 150 games each year. FSN Arizona will also continue to showcase the Arizona Diamondbacks via numerous different programming platforms, including the Qwest Diamondbacks Live post-game show, Arizona Ford Diamondbacks Live pre-game show, In My Own Words profiles and D-backs Insider.
Baltimore Orioles
WTEM-980 AM: signed 1-year deal to broadcast all games on radio on 3/4/05
WBAL Radio- 1090AM: signed 2-year deal to broadcast all games on radio on 1/31/06
Boston Red Sox
Entercom Communications Corp.: signed 10-year deal thru 2016 season worth $150 million for exclusive radio broadcast rights for Red Sox games in June 2006. The broadcasts will mostly appear on WRKO Radio 680 AM with a limited series of special games also broadcast on WEEI 850 AM. The Red Sox also have an option (but not an obligation) down the road to acquire a minority interest in WRKO.
Red Sox team policy: A Red Sox player cannot be traded without his consent if he reaches eight years of uninterrupted major league service, all with the Sox. (Currently no players fit under this policy, but Jason Varitek will likely be the first when he should fall under the clause in Sept. 2005)
Wise Foods, Inc.: signed 3-year sponsorship agreement thru 2009 season in March 2007. As part of the deal, Wise is named the Official Potato Chip and Cheez Doodle® Sponsor of the team. In addition, David Ortiz, one of the most respected hitters in baseball, has been named the team's "Wise Player." The company will also serve as Presenting Sponsor of the Red Sox Lindos Sueños (Beautiful Dreams) program, an innovative cultural exchange initiative that works to bring youngsters of different backgrounds together through their shared love of baseball. Wise will supply Wise potato chips, Wise kettle chips and Cheez Doodles® to all Red Sox games at Fenway Park. Wise will have prominent right-field wall signage in the area of the stadium known as Pesky Corner and will sponsor a new feature segment on the main Red Sox scoreboard. The company will have rights to use the Red Sox logos and team marks on its products and in promotional efforts throughout New England. Red Sox "Wise Player," David Ortiz - the designated hitter for the team and a major contender for the American League's Most Valuable Player award in 2006 - will partner with Wise on a variety of promotional efforts.
Chicago Cubs
Under Armour, Inc.: signed partnership agreement that includes first-ever signage on two outfield doors in left and right field at historic Wrigley Field. Under Armour also receives advertising rights to the signage behind home plate in Wrigley Field, the second-oldest ballpark in the country. The Under Armour logo is also featured in the country's oldest major league stadium, Boston's Fenway Park, where Under Armour shares space with on the Green Monster with sporting goods retailer, The Sports Authority.
Chicago White Sox
WSCR-radio: signed 5-year deal making WSCR the exclusive radio broadcast rights holder of Chicago White Sox baseball games beginning in 2006 thru the 2010 season on 6/16/05- + under the agreement, WSCR will broadcast 15 spring training and 162 regular-season White Sox games during each of the next five seasons
7-Eleven: signed sponsorship agreement thru 2009 season worth $500K on 10/11/06. As part of the deal, each White Sox weeknight home game will start at 7:11 p.m. and the first pitch of each game will be presented by 7-Eleven. The agreement also includes in-park signage, advertising on promotional giveaway cards and drop-ins during radio and television broadcasts. 7-Eleven will also be the exclusive sponsor of a fireworks night and distribute White Sox pocket schedules at local stores.
Cincinnati Reds
Fox Sports Net: signed deal thru 2009 season worth about $4M a year to televise 145 Reds games per season on TV beginning in 2007. George Grande and Chris Welsh will call 100 games with Thom Brennaman and TBA covering 45 games.
WLW-AM (700) Radio: signed deal thru 2007 season worth about $3.8M annually for the exclusive right to broadcast every Reds game on radio. As part of the deal, the station keeps the revenue (about $5.3M) generated by advertising during those games.
Cleveland Indians
Fastball Sports Productions: created on 12/26/05 by Indians' ownership group as separate entity from club licensed to televise 130 Indians games in the Indians marketing area beginning with the 2006 season- + will partner with WKYC Channel 3, which will broadcast an additional 20 games including some in HD - + 8 Grapefruit League games will also be broadcast throughout the Indians' TV territory
Florida Marlins
FSNF-TV: signed 15-year deal beginning in 2006 thru the 2020 season to the exclusive right to broadcast Marlins' games on TV- + the deal will be worth about 9M annually
790 The Ticket (WAXY): signed multi-year deal for exlusive rights to broadcast all regular season and 15 spring training Marlin games on radio in English on 10/11/07.
Houston Astros
FSN Southwest: signed 15-year deal to broadcast Astros and Rockets' games worth $600 million that will be evenly split by the two teams.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
FSN West: signed 10-year deal thru 2008 season to carry a minimum of 50 Angels' games a season in 1998- + Angels made 24M in TV revenue in 2005- + later signed 10-year deal thru 2015 season worth 500M that supersedes previous deal on 2/13/06- + as part of deal FSN West will broadcast about 150 game a year
Tempe, ARZ: lease w/ City of Tempe: signed thru 2025 season to be Spring Training home of the Angels
General Motors: 3-year partnership signed on 4/15/05- + as part of the exclusive automotive agreement, a new promotional opportunity has been created - "Saturday Night Drive Sweepstakes presented by General Motors" - which gives Angels fans the chance to win a brand new GM vehicle every Angels Saturday home game
Los Angeles Dodgers
Local TV Channel 9 KCAL: 8-year deal that starts in 2006 season thru 2013 season signed on 12/1/04 for the exclusive right to broadcast Dodger games on TV
FSN West: signed 10-year deal worth 320M for rights to broadcast 100 Dodger games on TV a year in 2004
KABC-AM: signed multi-year for exclusive rights to broadcast all regular season Dodger games and 15 spring training games on radio on 11/1/07. As part of the deal, KABC will host a weekly call-in show on Sunday nights, along with pre- and post-game shows and several specials during the season. The Dodgers also will be promoted on sister station KLOS-FM.
KHJ: signed multi-year deal for exclusive rights to broadcast Dodger games on radio in Spanish on 11/1/07.
Milwaukee Brewers
Mercedes-Benz: three-year marketing and advertising agreement thru 2008 season that includes the naming rights of the new group area located behind the right field fence signed on 5/19/06. The area will be named the Mercedes-Benz Field Haus. In addition to the naming agreement, Mercedes-Benz will receive several additional elements as part of the partnership. Mercedes-Benz will be featured on the new LED signage system at Miller Park. The luxury automotive manufacturer will also have the opportunity to showcase their automobiles at a private function for its clients at Miller Park each year.
Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin: 3-year partnership thru 2008 that includes health information at Miller Park on game days, coaching clinics for high school and college teams, and "healthy kids" initiatives at local schools. Orthopaedic surgeon William Raasch, MD, director of the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Sports Medicine Center, is the the head physician for the Brewers.
Minnesota Twins
TV Station WFTC UPN 29: Argeed to a five-year television broadcast deal thru 2009 season on 12/3/04
The Pepsi Bottling Group: signed multi-year sponsorship agreement that gives PBG exclusivity as the official soft drink and Aquafina as the official bottled water of the Minnesota Twins- + under the agreement, PBG also has exclusive rights to use the Minnesota Twins logo in marketing all Pepsi products
Dodge: signed multi-year sponsorship agreement on 1/11/06- + Dodge will retain exclusivity as the official automobile of the Minnesota Twins- + agreement includes sponsorship of the right field "baggy", considered by many to be the most visible and recognizable wall signs in baseball- + Dodge will also sponsor a variety of in-ballpark promotions including Dodge Ball, and ancillary signage including home plate, LED, the out of town scoreboard and pitch speed- + agreement includes presenting sponsorship of the Twins Winter Caravan, vehicle displays, advertisements in Twins publications, and support of the Twins Community Fund via title sponsorship of the Fund's signature event - TwinsFest
KSTP-AM 1500: signed 4-year deal beginning in 2007 and thru 2010 for exclusive rights to broadcast all Twins' regular and postseason games and at least two dozen spring training games on radio on 8/1/06. KSTP pays an escalating rights fee that eventually reaches $1 million annually. They will not receive any ad revenue from broadcasts.
New York Mets
Banco Popular: 5-year deal to be the Official Bank of the NYM- + agreement includes substantial advertising and community outreach opportunities for Banco Popular, including the operation of all ATMs at Shea Stadium- + the bank will have a significant amount of signage at Shea, including the entire back side of the scoreboard, a permanent sign on the front of the scoreboard, branding on all ATMs in the stadium and branding on the tarpaulin cover and a half-inning of signage behind home plate
Infinity Broadcasting's Sports Radio 66 WFAN: signed 3-year deal thru 2008 season for rights to broadcast Mets' pre-season, regular season and post-season games on radio on 11/14/05
AlphaTrade.com: signed multi-year sponsorship affiliation in January 2007.
ARAMARK: signed 30-year partnership that will provide food, beverage, and retail merchandise services for Citi Field on 6/5/2007. ARAMARK - a partner with the Mets since 1995 - will be the exclusive concessionaire managing all concessions, retail stores, kiosks as well as luxury suites, clubs, and a specialty restaurant.
New York Yankees
WCBS 880: 5-year deal worth $70M signed thru 2011 season. As part of the deal, CBS will retain the Spanish-language game rights.
Yankee policy:
New policy added to
contracts signed in 2004-2005 offseason include a clause allowing
Yankees to void the players' deal if he shall have problems "caused by or related
to the abuse, misuse or use of
steroids" or if a player inflicts injury upon himself, including,
without any
limitation, striking any hard surface with any part of the body
YES Network: pay about 60M a year to the Yankees for rights to broadcast their games on TV
Yili Group: signed sponsorship agreement on 6/25/07. As part of the agreement, Yili will receive advertising exposure at Yankee Stadium and in Yankees Magazine, the official game program of the New York Yankees
Oakland A's
KYCY 1550 AM and KNTS 1220 AM: signed 3-year deal thru 2008 season for rights to broadcast all regular-season A's games, any postseason games involving the A's and a minimum of 15 A's Spring Training games on radio on 2/6/06- + KNTS will only broadcast 127 regular-season games, as well as any postseason action, and 12 Spring Training games- + KNTS will join weeknight broadcasts in progress at 6PM and will carry all weekend games
KIFR 106.9-FREE FM: signed 3-year deal thru 2009 season to serve as the club's FM radio flagship on 10/31/06. They will broadcast all 162 regular-season games and all postseason games, plus 15 Spring Training games.
Philadelphia Phillies
Spanish Beisbòl Network: signed 4-year deal to broadcast all Phillies' games on WPWA-AM and WMIZ-AM thru the 2008 season on 3/15/05
WPSG-UPN57: signed 3-year deal to broadcast Phillies' games thru the 2008 season on TV- + UPN57 will carry 45 games each year in 2006, 2007 and 2008 with broadcasts from Citizens Bank Park being in HD- + UPN57 will televise 3 spring training games- + as part of the new agreement, UPN57 and its sister station, CBS3, will carry the team's new off-season show, Behind The Pinstripes: A Phillies Magazine
Pittsburgh Pirates
FSN Pittsburgh: signed long-term extension to remain exclusive cable/satellite television rights holder of a minimum of 120 Pirates' games each season on 8/3/05- + FSN Pittsburgh has an option to carry as many as three spring training games
Pittsburgh area Lexus Dealers: signed 6-year partnership agreement thru 2011 that renames the Home Plate Club to "Lexus Club at PNC Park" on 9/8/06. The partnership will provide seat holders in the Lexus Club at PNC Park with a number of enhanced offerings, including a chance each year to win a one-year lease of a Lexus vehicle, free premium gifts from Lexus, as well exclusive invitations to private ride-and-drive and "sneak preview" unveiling events. Lexus also will have have additional ballpark signage, advertising during the Pirates radio broadcast and in the Pirates game day magazine, ON DECK, as well opportunities to utilize the space on non-game days for training and customer appreciation events. Lexus will also display a vehicle outside of the ballpark on game days and a "Build Your Own Lexus" kiosk inside the Lexus Club at PNC Park, where fans can check out the latest product offerings and request additional information from the luxury automaker.
Tickets.com: signed seven-year extension agreement on 7/7/06. The agreement will allow the Pirates to continue to utilize Tickets.com's full service ticketing solution for Pirates games and other entertainment events at PNC Park.
Clear Channel's WPGB (104.7): 5-year deal for exclusive radio broadcast rights thru 2011 signed on 9/12/06. WPGB will air all 162 regular-season games and 12 spring training games annually.
San Diego Padres
XPRS 1090AM XX Sports Radio: signed 5-year, $25M deal thru 2007 season worth $5M annually for exclusive radio rights to broadcast every Padres' game. Later signed 4-year extension thru 2011 season in February 2007 for exclusive rights to English-language radio broadcasts on AM 1090 and FM 105.7. The station will continue to air every Padres preseason, regular-season and postseason game, as well as numerous other Padres shows year-round. XX will also continue to broadcast live from their studios at PETCO Park before each home game.
Channel 4 San Diego: signed exclusive television rights deal thru 2011 season
Seattle Mariners
Nintendo, MasterCard Japan and Ajinomoto: renewed sponsorship agreements on 4/20/05- + Nintendo receives two half innings each home game on the rotational signage behind home plate- + MasterCard Japan receives one-half inning of home plate rotational signage. Ajinomoto under a one-year agreement designating the company the official supplier of amino acid-based drinks and amino acid-based supplements to the Seattle Mariners receives one-half inning on the home plate rotational signage to promote the Amino Vital® advanced sports performance supplement- + Ajinomoto will also provide Amino Vital in both dugouts and display the Amino Vital logo on hand towels in the dugouts
Sanyo Electric: 3-year deal signed on 4/20/05 includes one half inning of home plate rotational signage each game and a display center on the Main Concourse at Safeco Field to promote Sanyo Electric products- + Sanyo Electric has provided 70 42-inch plasma screen HD-capable televisions for use in various locations thruout Safeco Field
Hitachi: 1-year deal w/ one-year renewal option signed on 4/20/05- + Hitachi receives one-half-inning on the rotating home plate signage
Sato Pharmaceutical: 2-year sponsorship agreement signed on 4/20/05- + agreement includes includes one-half inning on the home plate rotational sign, display of the company logo on the padded railing in front of the home and visitors dugouts and on drinking cups and coolers provided for player use inside both dugouts
Fox Sports Northwest: signed 10-year extension thru 2020 worth $300 million for tv broadcast rights for Mariners' games. Previous deal thru 2010 was worth $288 million over 10 years. FSN will show 107 games in 2007, with another 35 on various local broadcast outlets. There will be more Mariners games broadcast by FSN Northwest next season -- and beyond -- as well as more games available in high-definition. Deal was later superseded by 12-year, $450M deal. FSN will televise all available games except those restricted by MLB national agreements.
San Francisco Giants
City of Scottsdale, ARI: signed 18-year deal thru 2025 to host Spring Training site of Giants on 3/1/05 (previous deal was to expire in 2007)- + options can be exercised to extend the deal thru 2035- + the deal calls for the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority to spend 20M and for Scottsdale to spend 3.1M to upgrade the team's facilities at Scottsdale Stadium and at Indian School Park- + under the deal, an additional playing field and an infield are to be constructed
Levi Strauss & Co.: agreed to 5-year strategic partnership that includes the sponsorship of the right field section of SBC Park to be named "Levi's® Landing" on 1/6/06
Bank of America: signed sponsorship agreement to continue as Official Bank of the San Francisco Giants thru 2010. As part of the agreement, the bank may use the team's marks in all of the bank's affinity credit and debit card marketing and advertising. Bank of America will receive exclusive rights in the affinity credit and debit card category. It will include the license of intellectual property rights, tickets and in-stadium hospitality, and extensive onsite advertising and tabling opportunities to promote the Giants Extra Bases credit card rewards program. Bank of America will serve as the presenting sponsor of Junior Giants baseball - the signature program of the Giants Community Fund.Bank of America will continue to play a key role in a number of Giants marketing efforts targeted toward the Hispanic community. Bank of America will also have increased signage presence around the ballpark and will sponsor a number of in-park promotions and game day events.
KNTV/NBC 11: signed 3-year deal for exclusive over-the-air rights to broadcast Giants games through 2010. The agreement also allows for additional Giants programming on NBC 11, including a monthly in-depth Giants Magazine show and community partnerships.
St. Louis Cardinals
KTRS Radio: signed long-term deal that gives Cardinals 50% ownership of the station and gives the station exclusive radio broadcast rights of Cardinals' games on 8/4/05 (More info)
St. Louis Metro & Out-State Ford Dealers: signed multi-year sponorship deal that makes them the official and exclusive vehicle of the Cardinals- + as part of the deal, Ford will serve as a primary sponsor of the centerfield plaza area at the new Busch Stadium and Ford signage and vehicles will be prominent among the many displays and attractions in the plaza area- + Ford will have prominent advertising and promotional benefits within Busch Stadium, including ballpark signage and marketing tie-ins- + Ford vehicles will continue to be used during the popular motorcade parade of players during the St. Louis Cardinals opening-day festivities
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Radio station WHNZ-AM: 3-year deal to broadcast Rays' games signed on 2/10/05
Spanish Beisbol Network, Inc: signed 4-year deal to broadcast all Rays' games on radio WZHR-AM 1400 thru the 2008 season on 3/15/05- + the deal includes a Mutual Option for 2009
Jobing.com: multi-year sponsorship agreement signed on 9/1/06. Under the terms of the agreement, Jobing.com will receive premium location signage throughout Tropicana Field.
The St. Petersburg Times: multi-year, exclusive sponsorship affiliation worth about $6M signed on 8/24/06. As part of the deal, the Times will receive designation as the Official Newspaper of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The Times will also receive ballpark signage in the seating bowl and concourse at Tropicana Field as well as an outfield wall sign at Progress Energy Park; promotion on Rays radio and television; the presenting partnership of the Devil Rays youth baseball camps; sales and promotional kiosks at Tropicana Field and numerous market-wide promotions. The Times will become Presenting Sponsor of the team's official website,www.devilrays.com. This is the first season-long presenting sponsor of a Club site and includes logo placement on each page of devilrays.com as well as online media support and in-season sweepstakes. Fans will also be able to purchase the Times at display racks throughout Tropicana Field and visit the Times' interactive alcove at the ballpark, both included in the agreement. The agreement does not include a revenue-sharing component and would not affect the Times news coverage of the ballpark or the Devil Rays and will not affect the newspaper's relationship with advertisers. The Times has similar relationships with the St. Petersburg Times Forum, International Plaza and Busch Gardens.
PAETEC Communications: signed sponsorship deal for 2007 season on 11/6/06. As part of their multi-year agreement, PAETEC Communications receives on-field signage at Tropicana Field and promotion on Rays' radio broadcasts. Additionally, PAETEC has partnered with the Rays to provide a number of wired business solutions at Tropicana Field.
Jiffy Lube: signed sponsorship deal for 2007 season on 11/6/06. Jiffy Lube's Gulf Coast co-op sponsorship includes promotion on Rays' radio broadcasts and unique LED signage inside the stadium that will appear following every stolen base by the Rays next season. Jiffy Lube will also offer special discounts to Rays season ticket holders. Chick-fil-A: signed multi-year sponsorship agreement in March 2007. Chick-fil-A will receive signage at Tropicana Field in addition to promotion on Devil Rays television broadcast plus outdoor signage. To further engage fans and create fun for the family, the famous Chick-fil-A Cows will be seen throughout Tropicana field on game days. In addition, Chick-fil-A will now be an integral part of Raymond's Rookies, the official kids club of the Devil Rays, providing special offers and giveaways for its' members.
AlphaTrade.com: signed multi-year sponsorship affiliation in March 2007. As part of the agreement, fans will have the opportunity to send text messages during Rays home games to the AlphaTrade Text Board on the new LED scoreboard at Tropicana Field. Fans can also enter the AlphaTrade Text Message Contest during all games at Tropicana Field for the chance to win unique Devil Rays prizes. In addition, AlphaTrade will receive ballpark signage on the outfield wall and home and visiting dugout walls. AlphaTrade will also sponsor the Rays Country Western Night at Tropicana Field when the Florida Marlins visit Tropicana Field on May 19.
Texas Rangers
Reliant Energy: signed multi-year marketing and energy supply agreement on 2/17/05
KLRD 1080AM: signed 5-year extension thru the 2010 season to be the Exclusive English-langauage radio broadcasteron 8/2/05- + under the terms of the contract, KRLD Radio and the affiliate stations under the Texas State Network will continue to broadcast a minimum of 12 spring training games each season along with all 162 regular season games, including pre and post-game shows- + the Rangers have the right terminate the deal after the 2007 season
KFLC 1270AM: signed extension thru 2007 season with Univision Radio through the 2007 season to be team's Spanish flagship station on 8/29/05- + all 162 regular-season games will be broadcasted with select games carried on other Univision Radio stations, and the Rangers will sell all advertising and produce the broadcasts
Spanish Radio announcers Eleno Ornelas and Jose Guzman: signed extensions on 8/29/05
XO Communications, Inc: signed three-year agreement to provide voice and data services to the Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars on 1/11/06- + O will deploy communications solutions for the Rangers at Ameriquest Field in Arlington, for the Stars at their Frisco headquarters and at three Dr Pepper StarCenters located across the Metroplex
Lexus: signed deal thru 2010 making Lexus the official luxury car of the Texas Rangers on 3/22/06. The agreement provides Lexus with in-park and on-air advertising, dealer events, and hospitality elements. The Club Level (Sections 202-245) of Ameriquest Field in Arlington will now be known as the "Lexus Club Level." All valet stations will be identified as "Lexus Valet," and every home game Lexus Valet parking will be free for anyone who drives a Lexus to the game. Lexus will also be the title sponsor for the Texas Rangers "Chalk Talk" series, where players and coaches will participate in question and answer sessions at local Sewell and Park Place Lexus dealerships. Participants in the chalk talks will have an opportunity to win a trip for two (2) with the Rangers to a road game, and anyone who is in attendance and purchases a Lexus within thirty (30) days of the event will receive a free suite night at Ameriquest Field in Arlington.
Tickets.com, Inc.: renewed a long-term ticketing agreement for the Texas Rangers and Mesquite Championship Rodeo in February 2007. In this unique ticketing agreement, the Rangers will manage all of their offline distribution outlets while Tickets.com will host the ticketing application and online ticketing through texasrangers.com. This relationship allows the Rangers to select the local and national services they need while assuring themselves high reliability and ongoing innovation in their ticketing operations. In addition to providing the Rangers with its ticketing software and hardware, the agreement allows Tickets.com to provide the ticketing system to the Mesquite Championship Rodeo at Resistol Arena and the Legends of the Game Museum at Ameriquest Field in Arlington.
Toronto Blue Jays
Rogers Sportsnet and TSN: signed 4-year deals thru 2010 season in March 2007 to broadcast Jays' games on television. Sportsnet will broadcast 116 games while TSN will broadcast at least 80 games, including 20 in 2007. Additionally, each network must broadcast at least one spring training each in every year of the deal.
CBC: signed 2-year deal thru 2008 season to broadcast Jays' games on television. The CBC will broadcast eight games in 2007 and then between 20 to 30 games during the 2008 season.
Washington Nationals
WTWP-AM (1500) and WTWP-FM (107.7) and 104.3-FM owned by Bonneville International Corp: signed 3-year deal to broadcast all 162 Nationals' regular season games and 10 Spring Training Games- + the Nats will receive a rights fee from Bonneville, while Bonneville will generate revenue by controlling all the advertisements during broadcasts- + the deal was extended thru the 2010 season on 10/17/07 and included an expansion of Nationals-based programming
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