A new A-B InBev MLB spot promoting responsible drinking will air next week, and there will eventually be "at least one Budweiser ambassador in every baseball market" where the brewer has a relationship with the team, according to Frank Fitzpatrick of the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. Budweiser during the '18 postseason "began promoting" players including Astros CF George Springer, then launched a point-of-sale campaign on Opening Day this year. While the athletes in the spot "will be shown in game footage or talking to the camera, none will be seen consuming the product." Phillies P Aaron Nola in March signed a deal with Yuengling, and while he "hasn't yet appeared in any Yuengling TV commercials or ballpark ads," Nola has "posted several endorsements" of the brewer on his Instagram account. MLB allowing players to appear in beer ads was "driven by professional athletes' growing interest in controlling their individual brands." MLBPA Chief of Business Affairs Tim Slavin said, "We were mindful that the advertisements and promotions for these companies were visible around every ballpark. Players were associated with these ads and products to some extent. For us, it was in part leveling the playing field of commercial opportunity between the clubs and players" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 5/8).
