Cincinnati Reds fans displeased by becoming the next team to add advertisement patch on jersey: "This makes me irate", "Ads don’t belong on jerseys"

The Cincinnati Reds have become the latest MLB team to feature an advertising logo on their uniform sleeve. Keeping it local, the Reds signed a deal with the discount grocery chain Kroger — which is based in Cincinnati — to a multi-year deal worth $5 million annually.

While the news was announced on Feb. 3, the jersey patch made its debut on the team's photo day on Tuesday.

While the Cincinnati Reds are just the latest in a series of MLB teams to now feature advertisements on their sleeves, fans are still not pleased. However, advertising logos on athletic uniforms are prevalent throughout the world and have become an important new revenue stream for American sports franchises.

Many fans worry about the continued pervasiveness of advertising in all elements of the game. However, ballparks of the past used to be slathered with advertisements all over the walls. They disappeared for years before making a comeback in the past 25 years.

As with other sports, there seems to be a hierarchy of panache when it comes to which company advertises on a particular team's jersey. The English soccer team, Manchester United, have been mocked for past jersey advertisements featuring American automobile manufacturer Chevrolet, as well as bathroom product company Kohler.

For many fans, Kroger isn't exactly the glitziest of sponsors, but it could be worse.

Some fans took exception to Kroger being the one shelling out $5 million a year on a sleeve advertisement, given how the cost of groceries is spiking nowadays.

Cincinnati Reds just following the trend

Alex McGarry #95 of the Cincinnati Reds poses for a portrait during photo day

"Kroger and the Cincinnati Reds are the perfect pair," said Ann Reed, the president of Kroger’s Cincinnati-Dayton division, addressing the sleeve advertisement in a statement on Feb. 3. “Our region’s hometown grocer and hometown team are coming together to celebrate America’s favorite pastime. We look forward to seeing the patches on jerseys worn by both professional players and Reds fans alike.”

The San Diego Padres became the first MLB team to feature a sleeve sponsor last season when they entered into a multi-year agreement with Motorola for $10 million a year. The Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels are among the teams likely to begin wearing sleeve ads this season. Many NBA and NHL teams now feature jersey sponsorships as well, with all MLS teams brandishing at least one main shirt sponsor.