Crossover Appeal
Appealing to basketball’s young demographic, 13 teams gave away a team-branded basketball jersey or basketball. Additionally, the Dodgers handed out 40,000 Kobe Bryant bobbleheads one night, and the White Sox had a 2,000-fan ticket package that came with a bobblehead of former Bulls star Derrick Rose.
Brought To You By …
MLB league-level corporate partners sponsored a total of 150 dates, led by Budweiser’s 56.
Happy Princess Day
The Astros were the only team to hand out tiaras, with 10,000 general admissions on Princess Day. For $75, the club hosted a sold-out pregame event that included “royalty training with real Princesses.” The Rangers were the only team to have a Daddy-Daughter night.
Stay Warm
At the Blue Jays’ home opener on March 27, 45,000 fans received a TD-sponsored toque. For you baseball fans below the Northern Tier … look it up.
The Wine And Devers Crowd
Beer and spirits brands combined to sponsor 145 dates, but Caymus Vineyards from Napa Valley was the only winemaker to make the list, teaming up with the Giants to hand out 40,000 Rafael Devers T-shirts. In 2022, the Giants became the first professional sports team to hire a master sommelier, Evan Goldstein.
New York State of Mind
Billy Joel bobbleheads went to 18,000 Yankee Stadium visitors, and the Mets offered a special ticket package that included a Joel jersey. The Cubs and Coca-Cola partnered to distribute 10,000 Bill Murray bobbleheads.
I’ll Be There for You
For $94.60, Astros fans could buy a premium ticket that included a pregame hangout on the Central Perk couch, and for $53.22 more, they could go home with a bobblehead of Houston’s mascot, Orbit, who was getting an early start on Thanksgiving. The Nats’ first “Friends” night came with a bobble that had mascots Screech and Teddy reenacting the show’s iconic “PIVOT!” scene.
Happy Everything Day
The Marlins became the first team in sports history to have specific promotions tied to National Banana Split Day, as well as national days for cheese pizza, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate milkshakes, Cuban sandwiches, doughnuts, fried chicken, hot dogs, ice cream, pancakes, potatoes, waffles and, thank goodness, martinis.
Won’t You Be My Neighbor
Six clubs hosted a drone show, including the Pirates, who partnered with the estate of Fred Rogers to stage “A Beautiful Night in the Neighborhood,” a tribute sponsored by Duquesne Light Company to the city’s Pittsburgh native known to the world as Mr. Rogers.
A Fashionable Couple
The Mets handed out 15,000 each of a Mr. Met Empire State Building bobble sponsored by Citi, and a Mrs. Met Taxicab bobble sponsored by Cadillac.
Talk Amongst Yourselves
The Phillies hosted nine panel discussions focusing on the business of sports as part of their college series. The Rockies hosted a Business of Baseball event and the Pirates hosted a Career in Sports night.
Bark In The Park
Tito’s Homemade Vodka sponsored all 16 Marlins’ Bark in the Park Nights, and one each with the Astros and White Sox. However, of the 75 overall bring-your-dog-to-the-park packages offered by clubs last season, the White Sox were the only ones who posted online: “Do not bring a female dog in heat.”
Don’t Chicken Out
All the Kids Run the Bases promotions at PNC Park were sponsored by Chicken of the Sea. Chick-fil-A sponsored the same event all season for the Padres. If you spent nine months pouring through this data, you’d giggle at this, too.
