A well-thought-out and original ballpark giveaway can be a huge reason for fans to attend a game. (We’re still upset we missed those throwback Phillies socks last season.) And, as we reported on before, calendars are a popular giveaway for MLB teams. If you’re doing that, however, make sure you try your best to avoid any possible controversy. The New York Yankees overlooked one crucial detail while making their 2017 calendar.
Yankees pitcher Aroldis Chapman graces the page for October. The only problem? October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Chapman was suspended for 30 games last year under the league’s Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse policy after he choked his girlfriend and fired a gun in his garage in 2015.
“I found Mr. Chapman’s acknowledged conduct to be inappropriate under the negotiated policy, particularly his use of a firearm and the impact of that behavior on his partner,” MLB commissioner Robert Manfred said of the incident, according to the New York Daily News.
We’re sure the Yankees meant no harm or offense by putting Chapman on this particular month. But, as promotional products professionals know, it’s crucial to do your homework, and sometimes it pays off to think about every possible outcome.
