Phillies expected to have jersey ad patch deal by All-Star Break

When the Philadelphia Phillies host the Atlanta Braves on Opening Day Friday, their uniforms won’t feature a jersey ad patch. But by the time the Phillies open the second half of the regular season in Pittsburgh on July 19, the organization might have an additional source of revenue via the ad patch.

The Phillies have retained the services of Excel Sports Management to secure a jersey ad patch sponsor, and according to John George of The Philadelphia Business Journal, have been working since October to try to find the right brand to advertise on their four — soon to be five — uniforms.

Jason Miller is the head of properties at Excel Sports Management, and the point person for this project. He said that Phillies managing partner John Middleton has declined “multiple offers” from companies hoping to become the jersey sponsor of the Phillies, which explains why they are one of 13 teams who haven’t yet added an ad patch, something that was allowed beginning in 2023.

Via Getty Images, here's a side-by-side look at the uniforms with and without the sleeve numbers. https://t.co/PM2WsQXli5 pic.twitter.com/GQOam570dM

— Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) March 31, 2023

But don’t mistake that for the Phillies deciding that for the good of uniform aesthetics, they’re going to leave money on the table and not add a jersey sponsor. As Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer noted at the time, the Phillies removed the numbers that had previously been on the left sleeves of their home pinstripe and road gray jerseys in preparation for an ad patch prior to the 2023 season. For right-handed pitchers or batters, whatever ad sponsorship patch the Phillies ultimately decide on will go on their left sleeve. For left-handed pitchers or batters, the patch will go on their right sleeve. This increases exposure for the ad. It’s just a matter of when the ad is agreed to.

In fact, Miller told George he would “be shocked if it wasn’t done by the All-Star Game,” referring to an ad agreement. He added that the Phillies have talked to both companies that already advertise with the Phillies and ones that don’t, so if there is a leader in the clubhouse, Miller didn’t let on.

Fighting against jersey ads is lost cause, but they should at least have to match the team colors. They aren’t the Green Jays. pic.twitter.com/ioIlmoSFbg

— Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) August 15, 2023

There’s not a lot of people — outside of those who stand to profit financially — who would consider themselves passionate advocates of teams adding jersey sponsors. But it is what it is, teams aren’t going to turn down a way to make millions of dollars in additional revenue. One can only hope that the Phillies pick a company like Wawa or Toyota, not because Phillies Nation has any allegiance to those companies, but because it would make sense to have a sponsorship patch be primarily red. The division-rival New York Mets actually changed their original sponsorship patch because fans and owner Steve Cohen felt like they were “Phillies colors.”

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