The emblem of the Toronto Blue Jays made an appearance at a significant boxing event in Japan on Monday, sparking the interest of some observant viewers and potentially causing some consternation for Major League Baseball (MLB).
Viewers watching the WBC bantamweight title fight between Takuma Inoue and Tenshin Nasukawa at Tokyo’s Toyota Arena noticed glimpses of the Blue Jays logo on the ring’s corner posts and canvas floor.
The Athletic first reported the situation, labeling it as a “sponsorship” for the Blue Jays that would typically require MLB approval. However, the report indicated that in this instance, the league was not involved in the arrangement.
According to The Athletic, the Blue Jays acknowledged being informed about the sponsorship before the logo was displayed and clarified that it was not a paid advertisement.
A spokesperson for the Blue Jays neither confirmed nor denied the report, stating that The Athletic’s article was up-to-date and contained their input.
It remains uncertain whether MLB will address the issue, as the league did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
The Blue Jays recently concluded a successful season, finishing as the runners-up in the World Series. Their thrilling seven-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers garnered massive viewership in both Canada and Japan.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who played a pivotal role in the Dodgers’ World Series victory, was named the series MVP after delivering standout performances in multiple games.
Following their World Series defeat, the Blue Jays are focused on regrouping for the upcoming season, aiming to secure and attract top talent as they strive for another championship bid.
Japan has historically been a talent pipeline for MLB teams, with the Blue Jays actively pursuing star players from the region as they aim to strengthen their roster for future seasons.
