NEW YORK & PURCHASE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MasterCard and Major League Baseball (MLB) today announced an extension of their longstanding partnership agreement. The two organizations have come together to deliver extraordinary consumer experiences for nearly 20 years dating back to the first Priceless ad spot in 1997 featuring a father and son at the ballpark that aired during the World Series. The expanded partnership agreement provides MasterCard the presenting sponsorship role beginning with the 2016 All-Star Game, as well as increased opportunity to deliver advanced payment technologies to baseball fans.
“MLB is one of our longest-tenured partners and during this time we’ve significantly expanded our relationship by taking it far beyond a traditional sponsorship,” said Raja Rajamannar, Chief Marketing Officer, MasterCard. “Baseball is a passion for many and through our partnership we’ve been able to deliver not only access for fans, but have incorporated new payment options, driven fan engagement around Priceless Causes and delivered truly memorable moments.”
“We are looking forward to creating exciting and innovative elements with MasterCard over the next several years in connection to the All-Star Game presented by MasterCard,” said Noah Garden, MLB Executive Vice President, Business. “Major League Baseball games and Jewel Events like the All-Star Game provide MasterCard with high-profile opportunities to showcase its evolutionary payment technologies to our fans."
MLB All-Star Game Presented by MasterCard
Under the agreement, each year MasterCard will be the presenting sponsor of this marquee MLB event which provides additional media rights, access to Priceless experiential assets and enhanced branding. This includes:
- All-Star Week on-field Priceless experiences and events
- Expanded on-site brand presence at point-of-sale at key All-Star events
- Presenting sponsor of MLB.com SHOP at MLB FanFest during All-Star Week and satellite MLB.com SHOP locations on-site during All-Star Events
- Cardholder benefits leading up to MLB All-Star Week, including All-Star FanFest ticket discount, an exclusive All-Star Week Ticket Strip presale and MLB.com Shop discount offers.
Delivering the Latest Payment Technologies to Baseball Fans
MasterCard has long leveraged its MLB partnership to provide baseball fans access to the latest in payment technology at the ballpark and online, delivering an enhanced payment experience. MLB integrated MasterPass, MasterCard’s digital commerce solution, as a way to pay at MLB.com Shop, MLB & select Club ticketing pages and MLB.tv. Fans that have a MasterPass account can make a secure purchase online at MLB.com or within the MLB mobile app without having to enter their payment card credentials. Additionally, MasterCard has previously worked with MLB to enable contactless payments at All-Star Week events, as well as during the post-season.
MasterCard also holds individual relationships with four MLB Clubs including the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, with whom MasterCard just recently extended its partnership.
The 2016 All-Star Game presented by MasterCard will be played at Petco Park on Tuesday, July 12th. The 87th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game presented by MasterCard. MLB Network, MLB.com and Sirius XM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.
About MasterCard
MasterCard, www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard’s products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MasterCardNews, join the discussion on the Beyond the Transaction Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.
