American Airlines has hit a home run, replacing rival United Airlines as the official airline of the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field.
American and Cubs officials declined to disclose the value or length of the deal, saying only it was a "multiyear contract and long-term partnership."
In a statement, Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said the deal with American "will provide important resources to help us build a winning team on the field and save Wrigley Field for future generations."
American Airlines will have signage by the Cubs’ batting circle at Wrigley Field and video board features in the ballpark.
There will also be a new branded stadium club built behind home plate for box seat ticket holders from the start of the 2017 season.
The agreement also includes American Airlines branding at the Cubs’ spring training center in Mesa, Arizona.
Although United Airlines claims to be ‘Chicago’s hometown airline, ‘Dallas-based American wants a piece of the action, according to Fernand Fernandez, American’s vice president of global marketing.
"For us, it’s really about putting a stake in the ground and saying, ‘We’re going to be No. 1 in Chicago. This is a big deal, a big relationship we have in Chicago," Fernandez said.
