• Loading stock data...
Sunday, July 6, 2025

Minor League Baseball Showcasing Deeper Partnership Connections With Hot Dogs

Minor League Baseball - Hot dogs - Applegate

Few things go together like baseball and hot dogs, and a focus on aligning values with strategic partners has led to a long-term partnership between Minor League Baseball and Applegate Farms.

The league announced today that the meat company would serve as the “Official Natural and Organic Meat of MiLB.” Along with prominent signage in many of MiLB’s 160 stadiums, Applegate Farms will also have official partnerships with 25 Minor League Baseball teams with “activations running very deep,” said David Wright, chief marketing and commercial officer at Minor League Baseball.

The focus on finding the right strategic partnerships led to the alignment with Applegate Farms as the league continues to think about growth and its approach to the marketplace.

“What an unbelievable brand,” Wright said. “Their passion for their the product really resonates with next-gen consumers and how we think about fans. Once we had the opportunity to connect with their leadership, the direct alignment was really powerful.”

Applegate Farms’ products include “The Cleaner Wiener”, a 100 percent grass-fed beef hot dog. All the company’s products — including bacon, sausages, deli meats, cheese, and frozen products — are made with no chemical nitrates, phosphates, preservatives, artificial ingredients, antibiotics or hormones. As more consumers are becoming more conscious of what goes in their bodies, Wright said the idea of a more natural hot dog will appeal to more fans. Applegate Farms is a standalone subsidiary of Hormel Foods.

READ MORE: Why Scoring a Career in Minor League Baseball Is Anything but Minor

The partnership includes an extensive integrated media plan, with Applegate Farms receiving dominant positioning throughout the MiLB network. Applegate Farms’ messaging will also be found in ballparks across the country through ISM Connect and the ISM Fan Engagement Network.

“Partnering with Minor League Baseball was a no-brainer for Applegate,” said Nicole Glenn, VP of marketing at Applegate Farms. “Not only do both brands have similar values, but you can’t argue with the iconic pairing of hot dogs and baseball. We are very excited for the opportunity to serve our products across the country.”

The league already has a deep portfolio of partners, but Applegate Farms is just the beginning of a slew of potential announcements looking toward 2019, said Wright.

[mc4wp_form id=”8260″]

Among other food brands partnered with MiLB are BUSH’S Beans and Uncle Ray’s Potato Chips. Both brands are authentically integrated into ballparks and have offered great relationships for Minor League Baseball.

The increase in partners comes as more brands are recognizing the potential of MiLB as a major national marketing platform. The league welcomed nearly 41 million people through its turnstiles last year, second only to Major League Baseball in North American professional sport leagues.

READ MORE: Minor League Baseball’s Merchandise Enjoys Major League Sales

With 81 percent of the U.S. population living within an MiLB market, the local impact is significant. Put all of this together, MiLB is quickly becoming a national marketing platform competing with other major sport properties. 

“Each of the 160 teams does an incredible job locally and the relevance in their markets is off the charts,” said Wright. “We’re making great strides in positioning ourselves as a national marketing platform. While the 160 clubs have become industry leaders in local markets, the ability to go to market under one voice has proven to complementary and very powerful. And what’s most exciting, I think we’re just getting started.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
Jul 2, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) heads to the dugout prior to the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Dodger Stadium.

MLB Changes Are ‘Showing Great Results’: Former CFO

Big stars playing in major markets “make a real difference.”

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.

Featured Today

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
June 29, 2025

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Athlos
May 4, 2025

Nike Wants to Pull Off the First Women’s Sub-4:00 Mile

Experts speak on whether Nike’s “moonshot” is realistic or a gimmick.
Jul 19, 2024; Phoenix, Ariz., United States; Sheryl Swoopes hosts a WBNA All-Star brunch in honor of her former teammate, Nikki McCray Penson, at Thea in Phoenix on July 19, 2024
May 12, 2025

Sheryl Swoopes: A’ja Wilson Shoe Campaign Shows Nike Sea Change

Nike released the Air Swoopes in 1995.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Apr 12, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; MLB umpire Ron Kulpa (46) calls a third strike during a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field
May 4, 2025

Pro Refs Get Offered Free Lasik for Better Calls. Some Took It

Some pro officials have sprung for the offer for free corrective surgery.
January 15, 2025

State Farm Cancels Planned Super Bowl Ad Amid California Fires Controversy

State Farm’s Super Bowl ad last year featured Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito.
Nov 25, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; From left: Scott Van Pelt, Ryan Clark, Jason Kelce and Marcus Spears on the ESPN Monday Night Football Countdown set before the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
December 17, 2024

A ‘Wave’ of Sports Content Is Coming to TikTok

The next generation is consuming sports in a different way.
Apr 7, 2022; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Rory McIlroy (left) and Brooks Koepka set up to putt on no. 9 during the first round of The Masters golf tournament.
November 27, 2024

PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf TV ‘Showdown’ Will Pay Out $10M Crypto..

Two golfers from each tour will face off in Las Vegas.