The MLB debuted its new batting helmet advertising partnership on Tuesday with Strauss. The deal with the German company calls for all postseason helmets to have the namesake logo appear. Fans quickly couldn't help but rip the money grab.
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The marketing campaign will continue to take place for the next four postseasons. MLB won't use the ads during the regular season but will impose the campaign onto all minor league headgear during its regular season play.
"Hey @MLB, please never do batting helmet endorsement again," one X user wrote. "This looks ridiculous."
The MLB Strauss ad is drawing a ton of criticism as baseball fans are ripping the money grab move (@SNY_Mets)
A quick search across social media shows the flooded backlash as more and more fans took notice of the new digs. One fan on X used three words to describe the move, calling it "stupid, greedy and ugly." Others referred to the decision as "bush league."
I'm ok with ad patches on baseball sleeves but these Strauss labels on the batting helmets are heinous. Knock this crap off, please, @MLB.
— Bill Nelson (@Thelscwxman) October 1, 2024
The Strauss logos on the helmets are the latest move by MLB in its pursuit of generating more revenue. In 2023, MLB first introduced jersey patches that doubled as ads. So far, 23 of the 30 teams have jersey sponsorships. Ironically, none of the six teams without a sponsor made the postseason.
So, by that notion, none of the postseason teams and their fanbases should be completely blown away when seeing a MLB Strauss marketing campaign on a piece of equipment. That, though, isn't stopping them from complaining about the Strauss advertisement.
"An abomination," one X account commented. "MLB doesn't give a damn about fan opinion if it makes a quick buck. Postseason for four years and all minor league games. Gross Strauss can pack sand."
I had never heard of @StraussWorkwear before today. But after this horrible intrusion and tacky placement of an ad on all the batting helmets, you can be assured they will never get a cent of my business. Shame on you @MLB
— Charlie Jordan (@CharlieJordan57) October 1, 2024
"I don't care about how much money Strauss paid MLB, there's no reason to throw a sponsor on batting helmets for the postseason," another fan posted on X. "Looks so much worse than patches on jerseys that are team specific."
Well, maybe after a few more games go by, the not-so-subtle ad placement won't be so distracting... we can hope.
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