OnDeck (NYSE: ONDK), an online lending platform for small business, and Minor League Baseball, announced on Monday that they are renewed their partnership to help small business owners.
OnDeck will reportedly serve as an “Official Partner of Minor League Baseball” and the “Proud Partner” of 15 minor league baseball clubs. As a “Proud Partner,” the lending portal will activate in-stadium elements focused on small business including signage, on-field promotional activities, video board messaging and public address announcements.
OnDeck will identify deserving candidates in various locations (Trenton, New Jersey; Durham, North Carolina; Brooklyn, New York; Lake Elsinore, California and San Jose, California) and present them with the Small Business of the Month Award, recognizing the achievements of one exceptional small business in each market. Each winner will be honored during a Minor League Baseball pregame on-field ceremony, where he or she will throw out the ceremonial first pitch, with up to 10 family members and friends sharing in the experience.
Andrea Gellert, chief marketing officer at OnDeck, stated:
“We are proud to continue our commitment to local communities through our ongoing partnership with Minor League Baseball. Just as local baseball players are seen as hometown heroes in many of our nation’s towns and cities, so are homegrown small businesses. We want to make sure small business owners—and their many contributions—are recognized and celebrated as part of our great national pastime.”
David Wright, chief marketing and commercial officer at Minor League Baseball, added:
“OnDeck is a trusted partner of Minor League Baseball and we’re excited to have them as part of our baseball family. We share OnDeck’s mission of facilitating small business growth and vitality, and believe that their message deeply resonates with our loyal fan base, many of whom are small business owners.”