New York state Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced a new travel and tourism partnership among I Love NY, the New York Yankees and the New York Mets, celebrating the 2023 Major League Baseball season. I Love NY branded signage is appearing in Yankee Stadium and Citi Field and is also visible during game broadcasts. This signage, coupled with digital and social media efforts, is designed to encourage fans to visit”¯iloveny.com/baseball”¯and plan a baseball-themed trip to New York state, home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown.
“As the Bronx Bombers and the Amazin’ Mets take the field this season, we are proud to work hand in glove with New York’s major league teams and help fans take in our state’s baseball history, heritage and culture,” Hochul said in a statement. “Thanks to this dynamic I Love NY partnership, we will ensure that tourism in New York continues to be a home run.”
Tourism and travel are vital to New York state’s economy. In 2021, the industry generated $85.5 billion. The tourism and hospitality sector is the state’s third largest industry, supporting one in 10 private sector jobs. State and local taxes collected through tourism save every household in the state more than $1,000 annually. ”¯”¯
Baseball is part of that economic engine. Millions of fans travel to Queens and the Bronx each season to cheer on the Mets and Yankees. New York has six Minor League Baseball teams from Buffalo to Brooklyn, and eight independent league clubs. Countless youth baseball and softball leagues, teams and tournaments engage families from across New York and the Northeast during the summer baseball season, planting the seeds for the next generation of major leaguers.
Equally inspiring is the New York”™s rich baseball history, which includes Brooklyn Dodger Jackie Robinson breaking baseball”™s color barrier in April 1947. The new Jackie Robinson Museum in Lower Manhattan pays tribute to his achievements on and off the diamond.”¯”¯
”¯“New York isn’t just a baseball town; it’s a baseball state,” said New York Mets owner, chairman and CEO Steve Cohen. “The passion, loyalty and pride that New Yorkers show all season long are a big part of what makes New York the greatest place in the world. We are so excited about the start of the season. Baseball and New York state are on a roll.””¯
”¯Added New York Yankees President Randy Levine: “The Yankees take tremendous pride in serving as ambassadors for New York state and welcoming visitors from all 50 states and around the world. As baseball fans know, there is truly nothing like watching a game at Yankee Stadium, which simultaneously honors the past and celebrates the present. So much of our team’s success has been a direct result of the exhilarating atmosphere our fans provide at every single game, and we are dedicated to enhancing this experience for every person who walks through our turnstiles”¦.We are especially proud to continue these efforts in partnership with the I Love NY initiative, because that’s exactly how we feel about our home state.”
