Capital One and MLB today taking the wraps off a corporate sponsorship. As first reported by SBJ in January, Capital One is replacing Bank of America, an MLB corporate sponsor since '04, with official bank and credit-card rights. Packaged in the deal are a presenting sponsorship to the World Series, title sponsorship to MLB’s “Play Ball Park” fan fest at its annual All-Star Game and sponsorship rights for both Minor League Baseball and Little League Baseball. Capital One will activate with reward programs including tickets and special access to MLB jewel events, along with discounts for MLB.TV and at MLBshop.com. As part of its new baseball platform, Capital One is also supporting the Jackie Robinson Foundation, and committing to a minimum donation of $250,000. Endeavor's 160over90 is handling activation for Capital One.
Other MLB sponsors in the increasingly crowded financial services category include CohnReznick, FTX, Mastercard, LoanDepot and NetSpend prepaid debit cards. BofA will continue to sponsor some MLB teams, including the Orioles, Red Sox, Astros, Dodgers, Yankees, Cardinals and Giants. Meanwhile, Capital One has been an NCAA Corporate Champion-level sponsor since '10. The brand has been presenting sponsor for the past two Rose Bowl games and has had title sponsorship of the Orange Bowl since '14. Based in the DC suburb of McLean, Va., the brand has naming rights to the arena that houses the Capitals, Wizards and Mystics, along with the Univ. of Maryland's football field. It is a team sponsor for the Nationals.
