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MLB And Maytag Enter Into The Dirtiest Deal In Baseball

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Maytag and Major League Baseball have finalized an agreement that the partners hope will be described as the dirtiest deal in baseball.  The Whirlpool -owned company has become the Official Washer and Dryer of MLB in 2015, will launch a "Filthiest Plays of the Week" promotion with the league and has teamed up with Hall of Famer Barry Larkin as a spokesperson for the campaign.

The term of the deal is quick, only lasting for the back half of the 2015 MLB season.  Maytag has also come to terms with 4 MLB teams -- the Chicago White SoxAtlanta BravesKansas City Royals and Texas Rangers -- with plans to activate in those teams' local markets.

Each week, Maytag and MLB will ask fans to vote on the filthiest play in baseball by visiting MLB.com/Maytag to watch the eligible plays and then use the #FilthiestPlay hashtag on Twitter to weigh in.  Voters are automatically entered into weekly sweepstakes' for MLB-approved prizes, with a grand prize that will award one voter with a 4-person trip to a World Series game along with a Maytag Top Load Washer and Dryer.

The deal between Maytag and MLB also includes a charity component that provides the possibility of Maytag making a $1 million donation.  A Maytag Top Load Washer will be installed in either the bullpen or outfield stands at the White Sox, Braves, Royals and Rangers home ballparks.  If either a home or away player hits a home run into a machine, then $1 million will be provided to that area's local Boys & Girls Club.

Maytag has also announced a full-scale integrated campaign that includes a national television broadcast advertisement to air for the first time during the MLB All-Star Game .  The campaign contains a buy of digital banner ads, online partnerships and social media posts.

The partnership will situate Maytag next to many other strong brands that sponsor the MLB, including Bank of America, Gatorade, Microsoft and Nike.

Darren Heitner is a lawyer and the Founder of South Florida-based HEITNER LEGAL, P.L.L.C., which has a focus on Sports Law and Entertainment Law.