The Orioles have seen a 70% increase in Birdland Memberships, which cover a variety of multi-game ticket packages, compared to last season and have signed 20 new corporate sponsors ahead of Opening Day March 28, according to Garret Dvorkin of the BALTIMORE BUSINESS JOURNAL. Included among the new partnerships are Japanese candy company Hi-Chew and Maryland-based Ledo Pizza. Orioles Chief Revenue Officer TJ Brightman said that the team’s newfound success has “brands from across the globe lining up to sponsor the team in some unique ways.” The team’s kids' corner on the lower concourse will be sponsored by Hi-Chew. Online shoe retailer The Good Feet Store is sponsoring the team’s hero’s corner for first responders, and will also be the sponsor for the team’s Armed Forces Appreciation Day. Brightman also said that the club is “looking for a jersey patch sponsor” and they are “in talks with several local and national companies.” Dvorkin noted tickets to the Opening Day game against the Angels were “selling out before even going on sale to the general public.” Last season, the Orioles saw a 36% increase in attendance, finishing 21st out of MLB’s 32 teams (BALTIMORE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 3/13).
