Marathon stays on Guardians jerseys as sponsorship grows beyond the ballpark

Business News

Findlay, Ohio, business
Two logos displayed side by side on a blue background, separated by a vertical line.
The partnership between the Marathon retail brand and the Cleveland Guardians began in 2021, with Marathon becoming the Guardians’ first jersey patch sponsor in 2023.

Key Points

  • Marathon is extending its sponsorship as the Official Fuel of the Cleveland Guardians through a new multiyear agreement.
  • The agreement continues Marathon’s jersey patch sponsorship and will provide $250,000 annually to expand support for youth baseball and softball programs across Northeast Ohio.
  • The expanded partnership also includes new fan experiences at Progressive Field and full sponsorship of a Guardians RBI team beginning in 2027.

Marathon, the retail brand of Marathon Petroleum Corp. (MPC) and the Official Fuel of the Cleveland Guardians, is extending its jersey patch sponsorship with the team through a new multiyear agreement.

The sponsorship began in 2021, and Marathon became the Guardians’ first jersey patch sponsor in 2023. Since then, the Marathon logo has become a familiar part of the team’s uniform, connecting two longstanding Ohio brands on the field and in the community.

As part of the extension, Marathon will provide $250,000 annually to help expand support for youth baseball and softball programs across Northeast Ohio.

Large Marathon “M” logo displayed on a baseball field.
The Marathon retail brand logo is prominently displayed at Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Guardians.

“Seeing the Marathon logo on the players’ jerseys and on the field is a point of pride for us and our customers, but we know this partnership is about much more than baseball,” said Steve Solomon, Senior Director of Brand Strategy & Innovation at MPC. “It brings two legacy Ohio brands together to create new and meaningful opportunities, especially for young people, giving them a place to play, grow and feel connected to their community.”

A significant portion of the funding will support the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities program (“RBI”), a Major League Baseball youth outreach program that helps make the sport more accessible. The program is free for participants, with uniforms, equipment and travel expenses covered to help eliminate financial barriers.

Beginning in 2027, Marathon will also fully sponsor one of the Guardians RBI teams, with the Marathon logo appearing in the same placement seen on the Guardians’ Major League jerseys.

“Marathon has been a quintessential partner since they joined us in 2021, raising the bar each season on what two Ohio companies can accomplish in the community when they come together and combine forces,” said Cleveland Guardians Vice President of Business Development Kevin Murphy. “Marathon continues to show their commitment to our fans and the future of the state of Ohio with the investment that they are willing to make in our youth, and the opportunities they want to provide to ensure that sports are accessible to all who want to partake in our community. We are proud to display the Marathon patch on our jerseys as we continue to write our story as the Cleveland Guardians and pursue a World Series title.”

Large Marathon “M” logo displayed on the sleeve of a baseball uniform.
The Marathon retail brand became the Cleveland Guardians’ inaugural jersey patch sponsor in 2023.

The extended partnership will also include:

  • Continued placement of the Marathon jersey patch on Guardians uniforms
  • An outfield wall sign in right field at Progressive Field
  • A new Marathon Rewards Center outside the Right Field Gate for fan services, activations and exclusive promotions
  • Exclusive sponsorship of the Guards TV Wire Cam
  • Full sponsorship of a Guardians RBI team beginning in 2027