MLB, Clubs To Discuss Future Of Sponsorship Deals With DHL

MLB, Teams To Discuss Future Of DHL Sponsorships Following Company's U.S. Departure

MLB "will hold talks with DHL about the future of its sponsorship agreements" following last week's announcement that the company will leave the U.S. domestic-only express delivery market in January, according to Danielle Sessa of BLOOMBERG NEWS. MLB VP/Business PR Matt Bourne: "As we do with all our partners, we stay abreast of their business situations and how it relates to our partnerships." But DHL said that it will "continue its MLB partnerships even after" last week's news. DHL Americas Dir of Communications Jonathan Baker in an e-mail said, "We have made no changes with regard to our baseball sponsorships." Sessa notes DHL in '05 signed a three-year agreement with MLB "to sponsor the league's monthly and annual 'DHL Delivery Man' awards for relief pitchers," a partnership the company extended in March '07 through the 2010 season. DHL also sponsors "at least five clubs" -- the Reds, Dodgers and Giants have "agreements with DHL for the next two seasons," while the Indians' deal covers the '09 season. Reds VP/Corporate Sales Bill Reinberger said that DHL "will be visiting the Reds this week to discuss the partnership." Giants Senior VP/Communications Staci Slaughter noted the team is "trying to figure out what's going to happen" with the sponsorship. Red Sox COO Mike Dee said his team's deal is "to be determined." The Mets and Braves also had partnerships with DHL, but it is "not known if the deals extend beyond this year" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 11/18).