Pittsburgh Pirates signs Sheetz as first jersey patch partner
June 25, 2024
The Pittsburgh Pirates and Sheetz have announced a multiyear partnership in which the popular convenience store chain will immediately become the team’s first-ever jersey patch partner.
The Pennsylvania-based retailer will now have its logo featured on the sleeves of Pirates home and road jerseys. Pirates front office officials, outfielder Bryan Reynolds, pitcher Jared Jones and Pirates RBI players joined Sheetz executives on the field as part of the announcement.
Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association approved the use of sponsor patches on jerseys at the beginning of the 2023 season as part of a new collective bargaining agreement.
The sponsorship agreement seeks to solidify Sheetz as an iconic staple in the Western Pennsylvania region while also raising its national brand recognition. It will also feature marketing efforts and collaborations that will engage Pirates fans and Sheetz customers — including ballpark signage, in-game activations and unique social and digital content.
“If you take our market area and the Pirates’ fanbase and overlay those two, you’d be hard pressed to find many gaps,” Sheetz president & CEO Travis Sheetz said. “For sure, we think from a customer standpoint, a brand-awareness standpoint and a brand reputation standpoint, this is a great connection.”
Another important aspect of the partnership will focus on various community-based initiatives developed by the Pirates and Sheetz. The organizations share a proud interest in supporting local youth teams and other nonprofit organizations. Through the partnership, the Pirates and Sheetz will look to amplify their collective support of such efforts.
“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Sheetz and the Sheetz family,” Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said. “Like the Pirates, Sheetz is an iconic local brand that is a part of everyday life in Pittsburgh and throughout Western Pennsylvania. Sheetz is a family-owned company that shares in our strong commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others in our community. With so many commonalities, Sheetz is the perfect partner to be featured on our first-ever jersey patch.”