The Philadelphia Phillies have been one of the last teams to resist adding advertising patches to their uniforms. While other teams quickly embraced jersey sponsorships for corporate funding, the Phillies were among the few remaining teams with clean, ad-free uniforms.
That changes now.
Beginning Wednesday, the Phillies will feature Independence Blue Cross ads on their uniform sleeves. The new patches will make their debut during the team’s series finale against the New York Yankees.
With this move, the Phillies will become the 22nd MLB team to include a sponsored ad on their jerseys, leaving only eight teams without one.
Independence Blue Cross, a subsidiary of Independence Health Group, is a local health insurance provider offering health, dental, vision, and Medicare plans in Philadelphia and southeastern Pennsylvania. With nearly three million customers, it is the leading health insurer in the region and likely serves many Phillies fans.
Although baseball purists might be wary of advertisements on jerseys, it’s clear that this trend is becoming standard in the sport. It’s only a matter of time before all 30 MLB teams feature ads on their jerseys, and the Phillies’ adoption was inevitable given the compelling incentives.
While the Phillies managed to hold out longer than many other teams, they eventually joined the trend. At least they chose a reputable local company that has likely benefited many of their fans.
