Major League Baseball team the Chicago Cubs has signed partnerships with telco Comcast and financial services company Gallagher.
The Cubs’ multi-year deal with Comcast will result in Wi-Fi, video and voice services being provided at the team’s Wrigley Field ballpark and surrounding properties.
Comcast’s Xfinity has become the official entertainment and Wi-Fi partner for Wrigley Field and the Park at Wrigley, while Xfinity Mobile has been named as the Cubs’ exclusive wireless partner.
As part of the deal, Comcast plans on providing exclusive in-game video services, such as live game feeds and other content throughout Wrigley Field and the park. Comcast’s free Wi-Fi network at Wrigley Field will be built in phases over the course of the season.
Xfinity and Xfinity Mobile will benefit from exclusive category branding rights at Wrigley Field and the Park at Wrigley.
John Crowley, Comcast's regional senior vice-president, said: "Not only do we get to design and build the network that will let every Cubs fan and visitor more easily do the things they already love to do, like share pictures and videos, post on social media and stream audio and video, but eventually it'll support a whole range of next-gen technology applications that are still on the horizon. That's exciting."
The Cubs’ multi-year deal with Gallagher, meanwhile, names the company as the team’s official insurance brokerage, benefits and risk management services partner. The deal begins with the Cubs’ 2018 home opener today (Monday) against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Cubs and Gallagher agreed the deal with the Ricketts family. Gallagher will receive exclusive marketing and sponsorship rights to Ricketts family real estate properties such as Wrigley Field, the adjacent outdoor entertainment plaza, office tower and Hotel Zachary.
Gallagher will take on naming rights to the entertainment plaza, Wrigley Field’s Western Gate, the Left Field bullpen door and a videoboard feature sponsoring late-inning insurance runs, which will provide the company with brand exposure during selected broadcasts of Cubs games. Wrigley Field’s Western Fate will now be known as Gallagher Way.