State Street Corporation will sponsor baseball’s Ricoh Japan Opening Series 2008.
The World Champion Boston Red Sox will open the regular season against the Oakland A’s on March 25 in Tokyo. State Street will sponsor the two-game series as well as two prior exhibition games against Japanese teams.
“As a global corporation with a long history of sponsorships and community involvement in the markets in which we operate, we welcome the opportunity to join Major League Baseball in support of this unique international event. Given our partnership with the Red Sox right here at Fenway Park, it was a logical next step for State Street to sponsor the Red Sox opener in Japan.” says Ronald E. Logue, chairman and CEO, State Street.
In 2006, State Street and the Red Sox inaugurated a partnership through which State Street received naming rights to the new State Street Pavilion at Fenway Park.
“With its global presence, particularly its extensive business in Japan, as well as its partnership with the hometown Red Sox, State Street is the ideal sponsor for Major League Baseball’s opening series in Japan. This is the third season opener held in Japan, and corporate sponsors like State Street play a vital role in our efforts to promote the global growth of the game.” says Paul Archey, senior vice president, Major League Baseball International.
State Street employs more than 400 professionals in Toyko where it has had operations in since 1988 in a range of businesses including investment servicing, asset management, and research and trading.
The 2008 series against the Oakland A’s will be the first time the Red Sox have played in a season opener in Japan.
“We are happy and proud to have State Street joining the Red Sox in opening the 2008 season in Japan. Both the Red Sox and State Street have a long history in Boston. Following the lead of MLB and the Red Sox, State Street is going global.” adds Larry Lucchino, president and CEO, the Red Sox.