Chicago-based Giordano's yesterday announced a partnership with the Cubs to be the official pizza of the team and Wrigley Field. As part of the sponsorship deal, the Cubs on June 20 will host Giordano's Day and distribute 10,000 collectors-edition Ernie Banks bobblehead dolls bearing the Giordano's logo. The brand's messaging also will be incorporated into Cubs publications and LED screens at the ballpark, as well as the Wrigley Field Marquee. The brand's logo will be integrated into various Cubs publications (Cubs). In Chicago, Danny Ecker noted the sponsorship "marks a switch from the team's previous deal with locally owned D'Agostino's Pizza, a three-year deal that expired" following the '13 MLB season. Giordano's chefs "will operate the pizza-cooking kitchen" inside Wrigley Field. Giordano's also will be the "only pizza served" at the team's Spring Training home, Cubs Park, in Mesa, Ariz. The partnership is the "latest in a series of new sponsorships the team is seeking to help fill thousands of square feet of new advertising signage it has been granted" under its $300M Wrigley Field renovation project. Bulls G Derrick Rose put Giordano's "in national headlines when he bought a minority ownership stake in the company" in '12 (CHICAGOBUSINESS.com, 2/4).
