The Unlikely Partnership of the New York Mets and McDonald’s Grimace Mascot

Fans taking the 7 train to Citi Field for Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Tuesday might encounter a surprising mascot during their commute. Rather than Mr. Met, the familiar face of the New York Mets since 1963, they might meet Grimace, the iconic purple character introduced by McDonald’s in 1971. This development is part of an unexpected collaboration between the Mets and the prominent fast-food chain, turning Grimace into an unofficial symbol of this Mets team.

One of the subway trains, consisting of 11 cars, will feature a wrap with Grimace’s image and is scheduled to depart Hudson Yards at 1 p.m., ahead of the 5:08 p.m. game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Amanda Mulligan, the director of social media and influencer at McDonald’s, stated that there was considerable social media interaction, where fans were photoshopping Grimace’s image onto the purple 7 train line. She noted, “It felt perfect that we could bring some of that Grimace flavor into the commute for all of the Mets fans.” Mulligan hinted at a potential appearance by Grimace on the subway.

The connection between Grimace and the Mets began at a game at Citi Field on June 12, when Grimace threw an awkward ceremonial first pitch, coinciding with the start of a seven-game win streak for the team. This incident quickly became a social media sensation, sparking a partnership between McDonald’s and the Mets. As part of this collaboration, a purple Grimace-themed seat was installed at Citi Field in September, marking Grimace’s growing presence in the stadium.

The relationship between the Mets and McDonald’s is not entirely new, as McDonald’s has been a sponsor of the Mets for over a decade, according to Brenden Mallette, the Mets’ senior vice president for corporate sponsorships. However, the enthusiastic cultural phenomenon that emerged was unexpected. “From a brand standpoint, I’ve seen it lift our overall awareness and passion for the brand,” said Andy Goldberg, the Mets’ chief marketing officer, adding that this partnership connects two beloved and quirky entities.

Following Grimace’s first pitch, executives from both brands decided to let fan interest guide the partnership’s direction instead of forcing it, to maintain authenticity. Goldberg emphasized allowing the fans and the internet to guide the momentum, saying, “As someone on my team said, ‘Let the internet, internet’. It’s not ours. If we force it, it becomes really inauthentic.”

Despite the humorous nature of Grimace’s involvement, the partnership has been beneficial, according to both parties, although no specific financial metrics or numbers were disclosed. McDonald’s representatives and the Mets have been actively engaging with the public’s fascination with Grimace, even bringing the character to promotional events and appearances.

The presence of Grimace has been well-received, avoiding any backlash even when the Mets’ win streak ended. Karen Tiber Leland, CEO of New York-based Sterling Marketing, described such partnerships as mutually beneficial and creatively refreshing. “Burgers and baseball can be mutually beneficial,” Leland explained, highlighting the advantages each brand receives from accessing each other’s audiences.

Looking ahead, there is no concrete plan to establish a permanent McDonald’s presence at Citi Field, despite ongoing discussions about future cooperation. Goldberg also noted that existing partnerships, like that with Shake Shack, have been supportive of the Grimace initiative. As the Mets continue their playoff journey, the enthusiasm surrounding Grimace remains a lively element of the team’s fan culture.