Bank of America is the first company to simultaneously sign national agreements with Major League Baseball Properties, Minor League Baseball and Little League Baseball, and positioning the company as the “Official Bank of Baseball” in a deal announced Thursday.
Under the five-year agreement with Major League Baseball Properties, which begins immediately and continues through the 2008 Major League Baseball season, Bank of America will receive exclusive rights in its category, including the license of intellectual property rights, extensive broadcast and onsite branding opportunities and hospitality at Major League Baseball Jewel Events such as the All-Star Game, the Division Series, the League Championship Series and the World Series.
Bank of America will launch its Major League Baseball sponsorship immediately by assuming the presenting sponsorship of the National League and American League Player of the Week Awards. By promoting this sponsorship element through existing partnerships with FOX, ESPN and Fox Sports Net, Bank of America and Major League Baseball Properties expect to generate extensive national and local market media exposure for this award.
In addition to becoming the Official Bank of Major League Baseball, Bank of America has established a national affiliation with Minor League Baseball, and has also signed a four-year national sponsorship agreement with Little League Baseball to become the exclusive “Official Banking Partner of Little League.”
Bank of America's affiliation with Minor League Baseball will begin with the 2005 Minor League Baseball season, providing branding opportunities in all the markets where the company has a banking presence. The company's agreement with Minor League Baseball also includes designating a “Bank of America Day” to be held simultaneously in approximately 80 of the 94 minor league stadiums where Bank of America has a presence. Bank of America will also receive ballpark signage in minor league stadiums within the bank's footprint, along with access to ticket, hospitality and special team promotions.
The company's agreement with Little League Baseball – the largest organized youth sports organization in the world with 2.7 million participants – will begin with the 2005 Little League season, and extend through the 2008 season. It provides exclusive rights to all banking and financial services categories, and includes targeted access to Little League officials, coaches and families, as well as on-site presence at state and regional tournaments, branding and signage at the Little League World Series, and a variety of other promotional programs.
