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Detroit Red Wings unveil new jersey patch sponsorship and fans are not happy

The Detroit Red Wings are making a change to their iconic jerseys.

The Red Wings announced the start of a partnership with Priority Waste — a Michigan-based company with its corporate offices located in Macomb County — as the team's first-ever jersey sponsor.

The Red Wings' partnership with Priority is the first time the team has added a corporate sponsorship to their iconic red and white jerseys with the winged wheel logo. A small Priority logo was stitched into the right shoulder of the jersey and will debut against the New York Islanders in Thursday's home game at Little Caesars Arena.

Red Wings defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere celebrates his goal during the second period of the Wings' 8-3 win over the Capitals on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, at Little Caesars Arena.
Red Wings defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere celebrates his goal during the second period of the Wings' 8-3 win over the Capitals on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, at Little Caesars Arena.

The Red Wings currently have a helmet sponsor with local grocery chain Meijer, which displays their logo on player helmets during practices and games. The patch will increase the partnership ties between the Red Wings and Priority, who already have advertisements appear during broadcasts and on the boards along the ice at Little Caesars Arena. Priority will also have a sponsorship presence during Detroit Tigers games this upcoming summer, according to the press release.

“We are excited for this new partnership with Priority, and for their brand to be featured on the Red Wings jerseys,” Ryan Gustafson, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, said in a statement. “Priority serves many of the communities in which our fans reside and is dedicated to enhancing environmental sustainability through data and technology. We look forward to partnering with them at our venues for years to come.”

The alteration to Detroit's iconic look may be small, but fans online are not happy with the slight change. The move is part of an increasing trend in hockey, and most American pro sports in general, to increase the number of advertisement deals in place to generate more revenue.

"Priority Waste is humbled by this opportunity to have our logo don the jersey of such an iconic brand and team as the Detroit Red Wings," Priority Waste director of public relations Matt Allen said. "They are the hometown team and the future is either going to be embraced by the change or it's going to be negatively impacted by the change, and we see the positive as the Red Wings do.

"The Red Wings chose to create the jersey sponsorship, just as (22) other NHL teams have done, and sponsorship branding is just going to be something that is a part of all sports going forward. And, you really have to look at the positives here. Obviously for Priority, we see it as a positive for brand recognition and being associated with such an iconic team. And for the Red Wings, they want to continue to grow and participate in the dynamism of the NHL, just like all other sports do. Just like there's NASCAR sponsorship and stadiums being named and so on, so forth, these types of opportunities are part of the future and really need to be embraced and Priority wants to be part of a positive relationship going into the future with the Detroit Red Wings."

Despite the reasoning, fans were still upset that Detroit's famous sweaters, known for their clean style and popular logo, were being altered in any way.

Editor's note: Story updated to correct number of teams with jersey patches.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Red Wings unveil new jersey sponsorship and fans aren't happy