Seattle Mariners debut Nintendo logo on jerseys this season

The Seattle Mariners will wear Nintendo patches on their jerseys this season. This is a first for the team, as it marks the debut of jersey sponsorship. The announcement comes just in time for the season opener on Thursday. To promote this partnership, the Mariners shared a fun video on social media. In the clip, center fielder Julio Rodríguez modeled the new jersey and picked up a Mariners cap next to a red Mario hat. Major League Baseball allowed teams to include sponsorships on uniforms starting in 2022. Other teams have quickly engaged in sponsorship deals, including the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals. The Mariners' link to Nintendo goes back to 1992, when Nintendo of America bought a controlling stake in the team. Although most of that stake was sold in 2016, Nintendo still owns about 10% of the team. Mariners president Kevin Martinez noted the strong connection between the team and Nintendo. The Mariners will wear white jerseys featuring the red-and-white Nintendo "racetrack" logo at home games. For away games, their turquoise jerseys will display a red patch related to the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console. Some baseball fans may dislike corporate logos on player jerseys. However, many Mariners fans might appreciate this sponsorship because it highlights a beloved brand.