MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT) and Major League Baseball (MLB) announced today they will work together this baseball season to engage guests and fans in celebrating our nation’s teachers and inspiring kids. Efforts will include Target joining MLB and PEOPLE’s longstanding tradition of recognizing community heroes through the Target Presents “PEOPLE All-Star Teachers” program, hosting a series of events in schools across the country and honoring teachers at the 2014 All-Star Game. In addition to the education-related efforts, the relationship will also include special events and retail opportunities in connection with the 2014 All-Star Game at Target Field in Minneapolis.
“Major League Baseball’s wide-reaching partnership with Target will focus on the importance of education and teachers during a season where the All-Star Game will fittingly be hosted at Target Field,” said Tim Brosnan, MLB executive vice president, Business. “With Target’s dedication to education, it is a welcome addition to our outstanding relationship with PEOPLE in showcasing everyday All-Stars in our community.”
From Spring Training through All-Star Week, current and former MLB players, including New York Yankees outfielder Carlos Beltran and Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, will encourage fans to nominate their All-Star teachers, share stories about their personal support of education and participate in Target-hosted events, such as School Library Makeovers, in MLB communities.
"Target is honored to partner with Major League Baseball in celebrating great teachers nationwide," said Laysha Ward, president, Community Relations, Target. "Teachers are essential to helping kids reach their full potential and keeping them on the path to high school graduation. This partnership helps bring to life Target’s commitment to give $1 billion to education by the end of 2015."
Beginning today through May 6, the public is encouraged to visit AllStarTeachers.com to nominate an outstanding K-12 teacher from their community. Target, MLB and PEOPLE will select three teachers per MLB club for a total of 90 finalists that fans will vote on from June 5-29. The 30 winning “All-Star Teachers” – one representing each MLB club – will be revealed on July 9, with a special tribute during the All-Star Game on July 15.
Target is also proud to announce that the company is now an official MLB sponsor, and will offer guests an expanded selection of MLB and All-Star Game merchandise in its stores and on Target.com throughout the spring and summer. Guests and fans are encouraged to visit ABullseyeView.com and MLB.com over the next several months to hear more from players who are involved in the campaign and receive updates on the “All-Star Teachers” program, local community events, All-Star Week and more.
About Target
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) serves guests at 1,921 stores – 1,797 in the United States and 124 in Canada – and at Target.com. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its profit through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $4 million a week. For more information about Target’s commitment to corporate responsibility, visit target.com/corporateresponsibility.
About Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is the longest running professional sports league in the United States and consists of 30 member Clubs in the U.S. and Canada, representing the highest level of professional baseball. Under the guidance of its ninth Commissioner, Allan H. (Bud) Selig, MLB has experienced dramatic changes including Interleague Play, the introduction of the Wild Cards, the new expanded Postseason format, the most comprehensive drug testing program in U.S. professional sports, an unprecedented era of labor peace, significant revenue sharing among the Clubs and growth in revenue from $1.2 billion in 1992 to more than $8 billion in 2013. The last ten years have produced the ten best-attended individual seasons in MLB history, including more than 74 million fans in 2013. With the continued success of MLB Network, MLB Advanced Media and the MLB Fan Cave, the National Pastime is consumed more often and in more ways than ever before. For more information on Major League Baseball, visit www.MLB.com.
About PEOPLE
PEOPLE revolutionized personality journalism when it launched in 1974, and is now celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2014. Each week PEOPLE brings more than 53 million consumers the latest news, exclusive interviews, and in-depth reporting on the most compelling people of our time. In addition to unparalleled access to the entertainment community, the stories of real-life "Heroes Among Us" remain an essential component of PEOPLE's editorial approach. PEOPLE.com is the premier web destination for celebrity news, photos, style, and entertainment coverage. With reporters across the globe, PEOPLE is headquartered in New York City and is published by Time Inc. For more information visit www.PEOPLE.com.
