On Monday, the Toronto Blue Jays logo made an unexpected appearance during a prominent boxing event in Japan, catching the attention of some observant viewers and potentially frustrating Major League Baseball (MLB).
Fans who tuned in for the WBC bantamweight title match — where Takuma Inoue faced Tenshin Nasukawa at the Toyota Arena in Tokyo — spotted the Blue Jays logo prominently featured on the ring’s corner posts and the canvas.
According to a report from The Athletic, this situation was characterized as a “sponsorship” for the Blue Jays, which typically would require MLB’s approval — a step that did not take place in this case, as noted by the publication.
“The Blue Jays acknowledged their awareness of the sponsorship prior to the logo’s appearance and clarified that it was not a paid endorsement,” The Athletic mentioned in a report released on Monday, adding that the league office had no part in this initiative.
A representative for the Blue Jays did not dispute the report on Monday evening.
“The Athletic’s article is accurate, and our feedback is reflected. We have no additional comments,” stated Andrea Goldstein, the Blue Jays’ vice-president of communications, in an email to CBC News.
-
With Bo Bichette testing free agency, here’s a look at how the Jays have handled other homegrown stars
-
Blue Jays-Dodgers Game 7 was Rogers’ most-watched broadcast ever
The Athletic indicated that it remains uncertain whether MLB will take any action regarding the situation.
The league had not responded immediately to a request for comment by phone on Monday night.
During their WBC bantamweight title match in Tokyo on Monday, Japan’s Takuma Inoue, left, exchanges blows with Tenshin Nasukawa, right. The Toronto Blue Jays logo appears in the bottom right corner of the image. (Yusuke Hashizume/Kyodo Photo/The Associated Press)
The Blue Jays recently finished their strongest season in years, having been the runners-up in the World Series.
The team’s seven-game contest against the Los Angeles Dodgers attracted millions of viewers from Canada, including an exciting Game 7.
That match also captivated millions in Japan, who tuned in to watch Yoshinobu Yamamoto finish the game for the Dodgers, just one day after he pitched in Game 6 against Toronto — which L.A. also won.
Baseball fans at a sports bar in Tokyo are seen celebrating after the Los Angeles Dodgers triumphed over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7 of the World Series. (Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters)
Yamamoto, who also pitched a complete game victory for the Dodgers in Game 2, received the title of World Series MVP.
In the weeks following their World Series defeat, Toronto is determined to return to baseball’s premier event next season, as the Blue Jays work to retain and recruit top talent for a renewed championship pursuit.
Japan has consistently been a significant source of elite free-agent talent for MLB franchises, and the Blue Jays are among the teams that have competed for star players making the transition from their home country to the North American baseball league.