It appears as if the Chicago White Sox are following in the footsteps of the Toronto Raptors and Drake.
A tweet by the team on Wednesday showcased a specialty set of hats designed by Chance The Rapper and alluded to an ambassador role with the team for the emerging hip-hop star and Chicago native.
The “Acid Rap” artist, who is featured on Kanye West’s “The Life of Pablo,” often dons White Sox gear at his shows. The 22-year-old — real name: Chancelor Bennett — has a following that can attract more young people and African Americans to the South Side club.
Chance will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Friday’s home opener at US Cellular Field, where the White Sox averaged an attendance of under 22,000 in 2015, third-worst in the American League.
“We want to talk to those who are even younger, to develop interest from the Hispanic and the African-American markets” Brooks Boyer, the team’s senior vice president of sales and marketing, told ESPN. “Chance resonates with them.”