Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Seattle Mariners has expanded on its long-term partnership with Nintendo in a first-of-its-kind sponsorship for the franchise and the league.
As part of the agreement, the Mariners will sport Nintendo branding on the sleeve of its jerseys for all regular and postseason games of the new season, which is set to kick off on 27 March.
While Nintendo becomes the first sleeve sponsorship partner of the franchise, this deal also becomes a first for MLB. The Mariners will feature the Nintendo racetrack logo on its home jerseys and a Nintendo Switch 2 logo on away jerseys, making it the first MLB franchise to feature different branding for home and away games.
“Nintendo and the Mariners have been inextricably linked since 1992,” said Seattle Mariners President of Business Operations Kevin Martinez.
“Now, each time the Mariners take the field, our jersey sleeves will help serve as a reminder of all that Nintendo of America has done for the Northwest community and the team. There isn’t a better partnership in Major League Baseball. We are grateful for our incredible relationship with Nintendo.”
It isn’t uncommon for videogame companies to partner with sports organisations, such as the recent deal between Scopely’s Monopoly Go! mobile game and Six Nations Rugby earlier this year.
However, this partnership started in 1992, as Martinez stated, and is deeply rooted in history. Back in 1992, Nintendo of America purchased a majority stake in the Seattle Mariners, helping to keep the franchise in Seattle amid fears of relocation. Then-Nintendo President Hiroshi Yamauchi led the investment, becoming the first non-American owner in MLB history.
While Nintendo later sold most of its stake in 2016, the company retained a minority share and the legacy of that relationship continues through collaborations like this one.
Doug Bowser, President and Chief Operating Officer of Nintendo of America, remarked: “Our history with the Mariners goes back decades so this really feels like coming home. Nintendo has a lot of exciting news this year and through collaborations like this one, we can’t wait to create even more smiles across all generations. Go Mariners!”
In addition to the sponsorship agreement, centerfielder Julio Rodríguez will serve as a brand ambassador for Nintendo, aiming to further strengthen the bond between the company and the Seattle Mariners.
“It’s a genuine thrill to be able to partner with such a talented team, including bright stars like Julio,” Bowser concluded.
