Major League Baseball franchises the Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics have entered into partnerships with US petroleum company Citgo and California-based healthcare provider Sutter Health, respectively.
Citgo has been named a ‘proud partner’ of the Red Sox for the 2016 MLB season, which began earlier this month.
Under the agreement, co-branded activations will be organised at over 400 Citgo gas stations in the New England area and at Fenway Park, the home ballpark of the Red Sox. The activations will include co-branded pump toppers, exterior signage, in-store materials, consumer giveaways and employee accessories.
The company’s Club Citgo initiative will also be promoted during Red Sox games, while baseball-themed prizes will be available to win through the scheme via Citgo’s mobile application.
In addition, the Boston Red Sox Spirit Pump initiative will be launched at Citgo gas stations in the Boston area from July. As part of the initiative, a portion of the sales received at a designated pump will be donated to the club’s Red Sox Foundation, which benefits underprivileged children in the Boston community.
Meanwhile, the A’s and Sutter Health have agreed a multi-year partnership. As part of the deal, the two parties will launch a new youth wellness programme, the Fitness Sluggers, which will encourage young people in the North Carolina area to lead healthy and active lifestyles.
A’s players will also visit patients at local clinics to promote the partnership, while Sutter Health will sponsor the club’s Breast Cancer Awareness Day campaigns and the ‘7th inning stretch’ mid-game ritual. Sutter becomes the team’s preferred healthcare provider.