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A recent report from Wave7 Research highlights a new partnership between RedPocket Mobile and the Pioneer Baseball League (PBL), a professional baseball league made up of 12 teams in the Western United States. The PBL is affiliated with Major League Baseball as a partner league, although it operates independently.
RedPocket’s sponsorship of the PBL appears to have started in late May, according to the league’s social media posts, with an official press release being issued by RedPocket last week.
As part of the agreement, RedPocket receives exposure across the league’s social media channels and through sponsored in-game activities. These include naming rights to several features such as “The RedPocket Mobile Players of the Week and Month,” “The RedPocket ‘You Make the Call’ Strike Zone Challenge,” and a statistical analysis feature called “The RedPocket Mobile Analytics Log.”
One unique aspect of this sponsorship is that baseball fans can sign up for and activate RedPocket Mobile service directly at PBL ballparks. According to a July 1 post on RedPocket’s Facebook page, the company has been promoting its presence at PBL games by offering giveaways like free phones, discounted service, and family plans for fans who attend.
The collaboration has been visible across both organizations’ social media accounts. RedPocket’s Instagram has showcased PBL players and game footage, while the PBL frequently posts weekly schedules that highlight RedPocket as a presenting sponsor. In addition, at least one PBL player has appeared in videos pitching RedPocket Mobile’s services to fans.
This partnership is just one part of a broader push by RedPocket to increase its visibility through sponsorships. In December, We Talk Wireless reported the company brought on Daymond John, an entrepreneur widely known for his role on ABC’s Shark Tank, as a brand partner/ spokesperson. He now appears in online advertising and video content for the company and is prominently featured on the RedPocket website.
MVNOs, Including Red Pocket, Have Been Using Sports Leagues to Raise Brand Awareness
RedPocket is not the only independent MVNO to pursue sports sponsorships. In 2017, Lycamobile partnered with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, a relationship that continued for several years. More recently, in 2023, US Mobile sponsored Barnsley F.C., a soccer club in England.
“Sports sponsorships are a good way to build brands and this effort is a case in point. This shows that RedPocket Mobile is serious about competing.” – Jeff Moore, Principal of Wave7 Research
There has also been growing interest from independent MVNOs in sponsoring motorsports. Over the past few years, brands such as Consumer Cellular, Helium Mobile, Patriot Mobile, Boom Mobile, and MobileX have all sponsored NASCAR or other race car drivers.
Sponsorships like these have become an increasingly common way for independent wireless brands to raise awareness and connect with potential customers, both in-person and through sports-related media.