Major League Baseball Properties (MLBP) and The Scotts Company announced a multi-year relationship encompassing sponsorship, licensing, national MLB-themed advertising, and local Club partnerships, that designates Scotts as the “Official Lawn Care Company of Major League Baseball.” The relationship is the first of its kind for MLBP and the largest sports relationship for Scotts, the market leader in lawn and garden care products.
Fans will now be able to purchase grass seed blends and fertilizers featured in some of the most iconic Major League ballparks. These products, designed by Scotts in consultation with the head groundskeeper at each ballpark, utilize the same Scotts varieties and technology used on the fields. Grass seed blends and fertilizers will debut in 2010 for fans of the Boston Red Sox (Fenway Park), Chicago Cubs (Wrigley Field), Cincinnati Reds (Great American Ballpark), Philadelphia Phillies (Citizens Bank Park) and St. Louis Cardinals (Busch Stadium). Other future club-specific products are in development.
In addition to the licensed products, Scotts has negotiated sponsorship agreements with the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers. Scotts will have in-stadium exposure as well as the ability to feature Club logos in local advertising and promotions for these markets.
As part of its national sponsorship commitment, Scotts made significant media commitments to national MLB television rightsholders (FOX, ESPN, TBS and MLB Network), as well as to other MLB-produced programming. Scotts will air MLB-themed commercials, and the MLB and Club logos will be prominently featured on a wide range of in-store marketing materials throughout the year. Scotts will also sponsor a premiere attraction at All-Star FanFest.
