Minneapolis’ pro-baseball team the Minnesota Twins announced a deal that allows it to sell Prince-related merchandise year-round, according to theChicago Star Tribune. The co-branding deal includes hats, shirts, and baseballs, and is possibly the first deal of its kind in Major League Baseball history.
I’m not particularly sure if Prince liked baseball, or would have agreed to this deal himself, but that’s definitely not going to stop fans from copping some regal purple merchandise, which becomes available on April 5. Unfortunately the items will only be available exclusively at the Twins’ home base, Target Field.
The Twins made the deal with Bravado, the company hired by Prince’s estate to handle all his merchandising and branding following the icon’s death in April 2016. Representatives of the team said that Prince’s family has approved of the deal.
The team is also hosting its second annual Prince Night event on June 8, where it will be giving away 10,000 inflatable Prince guitars and releasing additional merch.
"All of us in the Twins organization were deeply saddened by the loss of the late Minneapolis icon Prince," said Twins President and CEO Dave St. Peter in a press statement. "Along with our fans, we look forward to celebrating the legacy of a man who brought an international spotlight to our great city."
Last year, the team gave away 10,000Purple Rain-inspired umbrellas. Today, some of those umbrellas are listed on eBay for more than $100. So, if you can’t make it to the musician’s hometown for a baseball game, keep your eyes peeled for Twins x Prince merchandise that may surface online.
