The Braves yesterday announced that they have reached a multiyear deal that keeps Coca-Cola as the team's "non-alcoholic beverage of choice when the team moves to SunTrust Park next season." In Atlanta, Leon Stafford noted the deal also "puts Coca-Cola back as title sponsor of the revitalized Roxy Theater in the park’s Battery Atlanta -- as in Coca-Cola’s Roxy Theater -- and creates [a] new branded section in left field dubbed 'The Coca-Cola Porch'" (AJC.com, 4/5). Meanwhile, BLOOMBERG NEWS' Jennifer Kaplan noted Coca-Cola has "added some insurance runs to its lead" over rival PepsiCo in the battle for North American baseball fans by "partnering with two more teams" -- the Mets and White Sox. Both were "previously sponsored by Pepsi." Only one MLB team "isn’t sponsored by either of the two soft-drink giants." That is the A's , which "switched to no-calorie Zevia soda" in '14 (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 4/5).
TOEING THE RUBBER: Nexen Tire yesterday announced renewals with the Rangers and Angels and a new partnership with the Pirates for '16. The South Korea-based company will activate at the ballparks of all three clubs, each of which has a South Korean player on its roster: Rangers RF Shin-Soo Choo, Pirates 3B Jung-Ho Kang and Angels 1B Ji-Man Choi (Nexen Tire).
LOUNGE ACT: Louisville-based Republic Bank yesterday launched its partnership with the Rays by unveiling the "Republic Bank Draft Room" on the mezzanine level along the third-base line of Tropicana Field. Featuring pre- and postgame entertainment, the lounge area offers local craft beers and themed signature food items based on the team's opponent (Republic Bank).
NEW LOOK: In S.F., Henry Schulman noted the Giants are "wearing a new style of helmet this year" from Rawlings, which "traditionally had one style with shiny paint." The company then "introduced one with a matte finish" that has "two grooves from front to back that each feature three small holes to let more air inside for comfort" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 4/5).
