Major League Baseball has fully embraced the corporate sponsorship era, with 21 30 teams securing stadium naming rights deals and 23 sporting jersey patch sponsorships—those eye-catching brand logos on uniform sleeves that debuted over the past two seasons.

The Washington Nationals, however, have yet to join the majority in either category. That’s about to change. According to Forbes, the team has tapped New York City-based Excel Sports Management to spearhead a dual marketing push, targeting both their stadium naming rights and jersey patch slots with initial talks with potential partners kicking off in January, signaling an ambitious plan to cash in on the growing trend.

If Washington secures the sponsorships it anticipates, the influx of funds could significantly boost its business, possibly doubling the $27 million the franchise earned from local advertising and sponsorships in 2023, as estimated by Forbes. In Forbes’ 2023 ranking of MLB’s most valuable teams, the Nationals placed 16th with a valuation of $2 billion, based on a total revenue of $355 million.

The Nationals’ strategy is to treat the two sponsorship opportunities as separate but parallel pursuits, with Excel Sports Management leading the charge. While the processes are independent, the team is optimistic about sealing deals in 2025—possibly even midseason. Forbes estimates that these sponsorships could inject over $20 million annually into the Nationals’ coffers. That’s a significant boost for a franchise looking to elevate its financial game, especially in a league where sponsorship revenue is becoming as critical as a well-timed double play.

Just this morning, Major League Baseball announced that a deal has been made between the Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Nationals to settle the long-standing MASN issue.

“Summertime is when the Nats are top of mind for our fan base, and we think that’s a perfect time to make an announcement,” Nationals Chief Revenue Officer Mike Carney told Forbes. The timing makes sense—baseball fever peaks under the summer sun, and a splashy sponsorship reveal could amplify fan excitement.

According to Forbes, Carney hasn’t provided details on how the team intends to utilize the additional funds but hints that it might increase the player payroll, which has been among the league’s lowest ten for the past few seasons.

Carney admits that Washington has explored stadium deals before but notes that “the brands didn’t align well” in those cases. For this round, he emphasizes that any potential partner must share similar values, like dedication to the local community and support for the military.

“We’re focused on winning championships, and we’re thrilled with the team we currently have on the field,” he states. “Our goal is to be a brand known for consistent success every year, and this will support that effort.”