Rays Become Latest MLB Team To Sign Deal With StubHub

By Eric Fisher, Staff Writer, SportsBusiness Journal

StubHub has signed a multi-year sponsorship deal with the Rays, marking its 22nd team deal within MLB and 42nd overall. Supplementing its league-level deal with MLBAM, StubHub’s deal arrives as lower-level seats for the Rays have begun to generate interest in the secondary market due to the club’s first-ever pennant race. Financial terms were not disclosed, but inventory within the pact this year includes a half-inning of rotational signage behind home plate for every Rays home game, 30-second commercials during the club’s radio game broadcasts, and a crawl on the local TV game broadcasts. Next year, the deal expands to include a Tropicana Field seat-upgrade promotion. Within the Tampa market, StubHub also is aligned with the Buccaneers, and the Rays deal is also aimed at driving brand awareness for Super Bowl XLIII set for Raymond James Stadium in February.