Boston Cannons Grows Corporate Partnership Family

From the Boston Cannons: The Boston Cannons, Boston’s premiere lacrosse team, announced its roster of corporate partners for the 2017 Major League Lacrosse season. At the forefront of the team’s sponsors are its Cornerstone Partners, a group of leading local and national corporate brands in their respective industries that include OPTUM, Granite Telecommunications, and Suffolk Construction. All Cornerstone Partners will have a strong in-game presence with specialty signage including stadium column wraps, media backdrops, and public address announcements.

“We are very excited about our growing group of partners and the way each company has integrated with the Boston Cannons and the lacrosse community,” said Boston Cannons President Ian Frenette. “Our partners will be fully-immersed in the lacrosse culture and New England fan base through branding, community engagement, business development and creative digital content.”

Along with the Cornerstone Partners, the Cannons have added six new sponsors and return many of the team’s partners from 2016. In total, the Cannons have twelve sponsors for the 2017 Major League Lacrosse season.

Cornerstone Partners

• Optum

OPTUM returns as the Official Health and Wellness Partner of the Boston Cannons. The health services and innovation company will have naming rights to the OPTUM Champions Club at Harvard Stadium. OPTUM is also an official sponsor of the Boston Cannons Foundation where they will support the annual Cannons Fighting Cancer game on June 3rd as well as the Cannons Charity Classic Golf Tournament in the Fall.

• Granite Telecommunications

A longtime sponsor of the Cannons, Granite Telecommunications will maintain its strong ties to the lacrosse community through its partnership. The Quincy-based communications services provider will participate in the Cannons Care Program that awards scholarships to students from MetroLacrosse, a non-profit organization that addresses social and economic disparities by inspiring personal, athletic and educational success among urban youth and teens. Granite Telecommunications will also provide scholarships for Cannons Academy, the team’s lacrosse summer camp program and will have have club marketing presence as the presenting sponsor of Boston Cannons schedule magnets.

• Suffolk Construction

In its fourth year as a Cannons partner, Suffolk Construction continues as the co-sponsor of the Cannons Care Program, where the team donates a cash scholarship at the end of the season to an athlete who participates in the MetroLacrosse program. The Boston-based leader in the modern construction industry will have a strong in-game presence, as well as digital content on the Cannons website and social media properties.

New Partners

• Dorel Juvenile

Dorel Juvenile, the world’s leading juvenile products company, is in its first season as a Cannons partner. As part of the partnership, the Dorel Juvenile brands, Safety 1st and Maxi-Cosi, will be highlighted in the Fan Zone prior to Cannons home games, where fans will have the opportunity to test child safety and transportation products. The Fastbreak Family Lounge, presented by Safety 1st and Maxi-Cosi, will be an on-field area located in one end zone of the Harvard Stadium field during games. Any family with a young Cannons fan under the age of 10 will be welcome to visit the Lounge for activities and a field-level view of the game. Cannons midfielder Kevin Buchanan will be a Player Ambassador for Dorel Juvenile.

• Plymouth Rock

Plymouth Rock is the newest member of the Boston Cannons family of Corporate Partners. Plymouth Rock will be integrated through Cannons game day experience as well as out in the community. Plymouth Rock is the Presenting Partner of the Cannons Skills Competitions, a series of 10-15 private events hosted across the state. Plymouth Rock will also serve as the Presenting Partner of the team’s High School Heroes program, which recognizes a high school lacrosse athlete for their accomplishments both on and off the field at Cannons home games.

• New Balance

New Balance has been a long standing partner of Major League Lacrosse (MLL) and has recently joined forces with the Boston Cannons to support and activate with the local community. New Balance provides all MLL franchises with player uniforms and team personnel apparel as well as hosts a roster of MLL and Cannons athletes including Josh Hawkins and Kevin Buchanan. New Balance also supports the Boston Cannons Foundation through product donations and PR efforts for the Cannons Fighting Cancer initiative on June 3 at Harvard Stadium.

• SalesForce

SalesForce and the Boston Cannons have partnered to host an Intelligent Enterprise Summit on June 15 at OPTUM headquarters in Boston. More than 100 of Boston’s C-level Executives will meet and discuss business strategy and best practices on engaging the connected customer. Panelists and moderators will include Rob Hale, CEO Granite Telecommunications and Owner, Boston Cannons; Vala Afshar, Chief Digital Evangelist of SalesForce and Rob DeSisto, Chief Value Officer of SalesForce.

• Smart BackStop

The Boston Cannons have partnered with Smart BackStop. Designed by parents and coaches, The Smart Backstop installs in minutes with no tools required, provides wide coverage around the goal, not behind the goal, and allows players to shoot for the edges with confidence. With more shots and less shagging, players improve faster.

• Article 24

Article 24 is a part of the Good N U Hospitality is a restaurant group in Boston surrounding towns which includes District 45, Biltmore & Main, Local 149, and The Biltmore Bar & Grille. Whenever the Cannons score 15 goals in a home game, fans can bring their ticket to Article 24 to get 15% off food. At home games, Article 24 also provides all the food in the Kyocera Sideline Club and a gift card for the Cannons Fan of the Game. The Brighton-based restaurant focuses on local food, bold flavors, and a creative scratch kitchen, the new American cuisine appeals to everyone. The beverage program consists of a wide selection of craft beers, and approachable cocktails for every palate.

Returning Partners

• trimino

triminoTM Protein Infused Water has teamed up with the Boston Cannons Foundation and three members of the Boston Cannons as official spokesmen for the 2017 season. Cannons players Josh Hawkins, Davey Emala and James Fahey will represent the brand and to work with aspiring lacrosse players as part of the Cannons’ Foundation community outreach programs.

• Bud Light

Bud Light will have a build-a bar present at all Cannons home games, as well as naming rights to the Bud Light barracks (21+ area) in End Zone where fans can move to and from the general seating area for game and a casual 21+ game experience. Bud Light will also sponsor an in-game promotion where 21+ fans can tweet their seats for a chance to be upgraded to the Kyocera Sideline Club.

• CSN

The Boston Cannons have once again partnered with CSN, where Season 2 of Cannons Full Contact will air Saturday mornings at 9am all season long. As part of the show, CSN will be integrating the Cannons into its social media channels. Boston Cannons players will take over CSN’s Snapchat and the station will be conducting Cannons-themed giveaways with its social media followers throughout the MLL season.

• Kyocera Document Solutions New England

Kyocera DS New England has signed on as the official Office Supplier of the Boston Cannons for the 3rd season. Kyocera is present in the fan zone where fans have the chance to take photos and print them on site. Kyocera has several in game and media integrations as well including the Presenting Partner of the T-shirt toss.

• KEEL Vodka

Returning for a second season, KEEL Vodka will be an Official Partner of the Boston Cannons. Keel Vodka will be integrated throughout the in-game experience and serving up signature cocktails in the OPTUM Champions Club at each Cannons home game. KEEL Vodka will also partner with the Boston Cannons Foundation and support the 3rd annual golf tournament hosted in the Fall.

• RCN

Internet, cable TV and phone services provider RCN returns as a Cannons partner and will have a significant visual presence on the Boston Cannons’ home field at Harvard Stadium. They will also retain naming rights and act as a Presenting Partner of the RCN Dream Team, providing the opportunity for one youth lacrosse team to be a part of player introductions at the start of every Cannons home game. Youth players will be paired with Cannons players and participate in player introductions, including running onto the field and lining up for the National Anthem.

• St Elizabeth’s Medical Center

St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center will continue to serve as the Official Hospital of the Boston Cannons, the Official Team Doctor of the Boston Cannons, and the Official MRI and Imaging Provider of the Boston Cannons. St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center has been an integral part of the Cannons season both on and off the field as they were the Presenting Partner of the 2017 Coaches Symposium hosted at Endicott College. During Boston Cannons home games, St. Elizabeth employees will be featured prominently during a seven-part mini-series that will be showcased at each Boston Cannons home game

• TCG Network Services

TCG Network Services has renewed its partnership as the “Official IT Services Partner of the Boston Cannons.” A Cannons partner since 2009, TCG will continue to monitor and manage all aspects of our Network and Security with TCG’s TecCare Managed Services. In addition, TCG will continue as an official sponsor of the Cannons Care program, a scholarship that benefits 5 student athletes who are part of the MetroLacrosse program. During the Cannons Season, TCG Network Services will share TecTips for fans through Cannons social media channels,

• FlingGolf

Ipswich-based FlingGolf, a golf/lacrosse hybrid sport played on a golf course, will have presence in the Cannons Fan Zone before each game to showcase their game and equipment to the lacrosse community. In addition, FlingGolf will sponsor an in-game contest where fans compete in a closest to the pin contest for chance to win a Fling Stick.

• The Bill Belichick Foundation

The Bill Belichick Foundation has a history of supporting causes with a goal to provide coaching, mentorship and financial support to youth athletes, specifically football and lacrosse players. Belichick’s organization has renewed its partnership with the Cannons, which provides the foundation with Season Ticket Memberships to be dispersed to deserving lacrosse players and their families as part of this season’s charitable initiatives. Lacrosse programs throughout New England can apply on BostonCannons.com.

For more information about the Boston Cannons and its partnership roster, visit BostonCannons.com.

Image courtesy of Boston Cannons