In Chicago, Danny Ecker reported Cubs P Jake Arrieta, has signed an endorsement deal with Dallas-based men's clothing brand Mizzen+Main, and he will star in a video series in which he talks "about his sense of style and game preparation." Arrieta, who on Thursday night threw the first no-hitter in MLB this season, is the "latest in a string of athletes promoting" the brand, including Texans DE J.J. Watt (
CHICAGOBUSINESS.com, 4/21). ADWEEK's Robert Klara noted Arrieta in the spot talks about his family and pitching, but he "doesn't mention the brand at all" (
ADWEEK.com, 4/21).
PRICELESS SENTIMENT: MasterCard and MLB formally announced an extension of their longstanding sponsorship. The expanded agreement,
first reported last month by SportsBusiness Journal, provides MasterCard a presenting sponsorship of the All-Star Game starting with this year's event. All-Star activation includes an expanded on-site brand presence at point-of-sale; presenting sponsorship of MLB.com Shop at MLB FanFest and satellite MLB.com Shop locations; and card holder benefits leading up to All-Star Week. MasterCard also has deals with the Cubs, Dodgers, Red Sox and Yankees (
MasterCard).
CAR & DRIVER: National Car Rental has signed four new sponsorship deals making it the official car rental partner of the Astros, Orioles, Rangers and White Sox through the '20 MLB season. National also has deals with the Angels, Cardinals, Mets and Royals. To support the deals, the brand also launched a radio campaign in each team's market titled "A Control Enthusiast's Guide to Baseball," featuring the voice of actor Patrick Warburton. National also will extend specially priced car rental rates to each club's personnel (National Car Rental).
