MLB becomes the first major sports league in the United States to bring on a CBD sponsor.
On the day that Major League Baseball showcased its eight best teams in a thrilling Division Series quadruple-header, the league also made history off the field.
MLB announced on Tuesday that it has signed a deal with CBD brand Charlotte’s Web, becoming the first major pro sports league to sign a CBD sponsor. The news was first reported Monday by Sports Business Journal.
The multi-year deal makes Charlotte’s Web the “Official CBD of Major League Baseball,” with the goal to increase brand visibility among MLB athletes and fans, according to a press release.
“As a leader in the CBD category, with products that provide health and wellness benefits, Charlotte’s Web is a welcome addition to the MLB family, representing a landmark partnership in baseball and sports,” Noah Garden, MLB Chief Revenue Officer, said in the release. “Charlotte’s Web products, which receive the NSF Certified for Sport® designation, have met the highest safety standards and can be promoted across MLB events and media platforms.”
The partnership coincides with Charlotte’s Web launching its WebTM SPORT – Daily Edge, a hemp-derived, broad-spectrum tincture that meets MLB’s standards for acceptable substances among players. The Major League Baseball logo will appear on the bottle and Daily Edge will be available in gummies, topicals, and oral sprays.
Daily Edge launched on Wednesday on CW’s website and will be available online throughout the postseason. It is due to be available in retail in 2023. Charlotte’s Web will also have a presence at MLB’s jewel events, including the All-Star Game and World Series, through media and ballpark activations.
For those who may be leery about MLB — a league known for doling out harsh punishments for banned substances — partnering with a CBD brand, NSF, which independently oversees safety standards around sports supplements, has deemed CW to be Certified for Sport®.
“NSF is proud to play a role in this historic next chapter of America’s favorite pastime,” said John Travis, Principal Technical Manager, NSF. “MLB showed great trust in the NSF mark earlier this year when it named NSF Certified for Sport® as the standard CBD brands must meet in order to sponsor MLB and its teams.”
MLB and Charlotte’s Web have additionally aligned as Corporate Social Responsibility partners to work on initiatives to promote quality of life among fans and athletes.
Read More:
- The Digital Athlete: How the NFL & AWS Leverage Data to Keep Players Safe
- Microsoft Gambles Big With $1.5B Investment in Foreign AI Firm
- The Jordan Luka 3: A Design Driven by Dončić
- Andre Ward is Still Writing His Story
- Chet Holmgren Has Been Studying the Sneaker Game for Years
Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.
