The N.Y.-area Hyundai Dealers has increased its sponsorship with the Mets to an annual six-figure deal that now encompasses naming rights for the premium field-level club area at Citi Field. What had been known as the Champions Club will be known as the Hyundai Club in what Mets Exec VP/Business Operations Dave Howard described as a multiyear commitment. The Hyundai Dealers will have a vehicle display just outside the club that will bear its name. The deal also packages outfield wall signage, rotating signage on the first- and third-base lines, hospitality and tickets. The New York/New Jersey/Connecticut Hyundai Dealers co-op has been a Mets sponsor since Citi Field opened in ‘09. With the Mets hosting the MLB All-Star Game this year, Howard said the club has seen Hyundai and other incumbent sponsors increase their stadium and activation plans. Also included in that group are StubHub, Duane Reade, Cholula Hot Sauce and Old Dominion Freight Lines. Howard said the team expects to sign some larger deals before the season begins next month. Already signed on as a new Mets corporate patron is Amway, which will have display space for its b-to-b distributors, signage, hospitality rights and rights to use Citi Field on non-game days for corporate functions. With the Mets’ Triple-A team now in Las Vegas, tourism marketing for the city also will be evident in Citi Field this year. With the All-Star Game, Howard said the Mets budgeted for a substantial increase in sponsorship fees this season, adding, "We are right on target there.” The game also has helped sell more suites, and Howard said the Mets have seen “a substantial uptick’’ in 20- and 40-game plans, and those customers will get access to certain All-Star strips. “Overall, we are ahead of a year ago, both in terms of number of tickets sold and ticket revenues," Howard said.
