The Rays "apparently, have had discussions with potential advertisers" about adding a sponsored uniform patch, "but a resolution on the team's ballpark situation will likely need to come first,” according to John Romano of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. 21 of the 30 MLB teams have adopted patch sponsorships, producing "significant money for big-market teams and a small lifeline for others.” There are reports the Yankees are getting $25M annually for their deal with Starr Insurance. The Reds' deal with Kroger and Marlins' deal with ADT are on the low end of the spectrum at a reported $5M per year. Romano wondered where the Rays would fit in, adding that it's “hard to say because arrangements can go beyond simply the uniform patch.” No team has “combined a uniform patch with stadium naming rights,” but that is also “not out of the realm of possibility.” Most of the 21 current sponsorship deals “involve national corporations headquartered in a particular MLB city.” One of the drawbacks for the Rays is that the list of Fortune 500 companies in the market is “relatively small compared to other major-league markets” (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 6/29).
