As part of the ad patch program that MLB and the Players Association agreed to in collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations last month, the San Diego Padres announced that Motorola will be on their uniform starting in 2023.
It’s the first announcement of that kind since the ad patch program kicked in.
With other teams expected to announce their own sponsors for next year eventually, a Cincinnati Reds insider made a cruel, yet hilarious joke about the team.
“You better believe a #Reds franchise that has sold every single space possible to make Great American Ball Park look like a NASCAR car will sell every square inch it can on its uniforms next year,” C. Trent Rosecrans, who covers the team for The Athletic, tweeted on Tuesday.
You better believe a #Reds franchise that has sold every single space possible to make Great American Ball Park look like a NASCAR car will sell every square inch it can on its uniforms next year https://t.co/QQFWcX4Noi
— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) April 19, 2022
Indeed, the ad patch program represents an opportunity for MLB teams to make some money with sponsors and advertising.
They figured that if they had to pay players more starting in 2022, then they would like to use creative ways to recoup some money themselves.
Will Some Teams Go A Little Too Far With Ads?
Ads are a valid avenue, but it’s not hard to envision some teams, the Reds included, with too many elements in their uniform.
It could be good for their finances, but bad for the looks of their uniform.
Still, this is all speculation: until they secure a deal or two, we can’t really confirm they will look like a NASCAR car.
We do know that some fans are concerned that they won’t find any partners because of their “losing culture”.
I LOVE this version of C.Trent. Completely unfiltered, and brutally honest.
Also, idk who would want to advertise on Reds jersey and be associated with such a losing culture and such incompetence.
— Robert (@cabose369) April 19, 2022
It’s certainly a valid argument to make against a franchise that flat-out gave up before the season started, but they should be able to secure some ads anyway.
NEXT: Reds Rookie Hunter Greene Owns A Mind-Blowing Average On One Pitch