The Hartford Signs Major League Baseball Contract

The Hartford and Major League Baseball (MLB) have agreed to a deal that will make The Hartford an “Official Sponsor of Major League Baseball” and the exclusive business insurance, homeowners insurance and employee benefits partner of MLB.

The sponsorship includes the presenting sponsorship of the Reliever of the Year Awards and a partnership with former New York Yankees’ closer Mariano Rivera.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

The Hartford’s Chairman and CEO Christopher Swift called the partnership “a natural fit between two iconic American organizations.”

As the program’s national ambassador, Rivera will attend events and appear in the company’s advertising.

The Hartford will be the presenting sponsor of the American and National League Reliever of the Year Awards, named after Rivera and Trevor Hoffman, former San Diego Padres closer. This award recognizes the most outstanding relief pitchers of the season in each league. Hoffman will also appear in the company’s advertising.

In addition to its MLB sponsorship, The Hartford will also sponsor five MLB teams this year – Kansas City Royals, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers – and will expand to more teams in 2016, the company said. The company plans local clinics and events.

The Hartford is not the only insurer with an MLB contract. In April, Esurance, owned by Allstate, announced it had signed on to be the exclusive auto insurance partner in a multiyear agreement that includes title sponsorship of the sport’s All-Star balloting.

A number of insurers have bought naming rights to major league ballparks across the country, including Progressive in Cleveland, Great American Insurance in Cincinnati and Safeco in Seattle.