The Seattle Mariners actively seeks opportunities to create, build and increase the utilization of highly qualified minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) in meeting our procurement needs.  To achieve this end, we work closely with Major League Baseball’s Diverse Business Partners Program, which is administered through the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball.  We also maintain an active membership in the Northwest Minority Business Council (NMBC), which promotes opportunities for minority-owned companies in our area.

The primary goal of all of our procurement activities is to create and maintain a first-class ballpark experience for our fans.  We actively search our community for high-quality MWBEs that have the capacity to provide the products and services needed to retain high-levels of fan satisfaction.

As an organization, we are fully committed to diversity and to supplier diversity.  In recent years we have conducted training classes at Safeco Field for suppliers and corporate entities; held “Meet the Buyer” seminars that brought together corporate entities and minority businesses; and in 2006, we conducted the first Hispanic Day at our ballpark, which featured local Hispanic businesses. We regularly participate in NMBC meetings, trade fairs and other events that allow us to meet new minority suppliers.

Our objective is the creation of a vibrant network of MWBEs that support our growth and help us develop new fans.  We are pleased that our efforts to date have contributed to a supplier base that reflects the cultural and economic diversity of our fan base and our on-field players.  We look forward to doing more.