About

mls

TEAM Coalition Lead for MLS:  Liz Byrd
Email: liz@teamcoalition.org
Phone: 703-201-1455

The Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk campaign brings the most recognizable drunk driving prevention slogan ever conceived to the world of sports entertainment. Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management (TEAM) Coalition and MLS launched the Responsibility Has Its Rewards (RHIR) campaign in 2005. In 2016, a record number of supporters at MLS stadiums pledged to be designated drivers, promising to not drink alcohol and ensure a safe ride home for their friends and family. At the end of the season, each Club randomly selects one fan from all those who pledged as the Responsible Fan for the Season. The Responsible Fans for the Season for the two Clubs that compete in MLS Cup each win two tickets to the game, airfare and hotel accommodations. 

A secondary prize drawing awards one Responsible Fan for the Season with a trip to the following year’s MLS All-Star Game including two tickets to the game, airfare and hotel accommodations.

For the last five seasons, many MLS Clubs have competed in responsibility challenges. These challenges incorporate competition into the responsibility message, with the winning side earning a trophy (and bragging rights) for their commitment to making trips to and from the match safer. Since TEAM Coalition introduced the MLS challenges, participating Clubs have seen a 25% increase in responsible fan program participation on average.

 

The Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk campaign brings the most recognizable drunk driving prevention slogan ever conceived to the world of sports entertainment. Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management (TEAM) Coalition and MLB launched the Responsibility Has Its Rewards (RHIR) campaign in 2003. Fans at MLB ballparks who pledge to be responsible fans, promising to drink alcohol responsibly, find a safe ride home and always buckle up, participated in the program. At the end of the season, each club randomly selects one fan from all those who pledged as the Responsible Fan for the Season.

The Responsible Fans for the Season from the Clubs that compete in World Series will each receive the Grand Prize of the Sweepstakes. The Grand Prize of the Sweepstakes is two (2) tickets to the first World Series game played in the home ballpark of their favorite MLB Club.

A First Prize for the RHIR sweepstakes is also awarded. The 28 remaining Responsible Fans for the Season whose Clubs do not compete in the World Series are qualified to win the first prize. The first prize is a trip to the MLB All-Star Game during the next MLB season. That winner will be chosen randomly from the remaining 28 Responsible Fans for the Season. The All-Star Game® trip includes two (2) tickets to the game, round trip airfare, and hotel accommodations (if necessary).

Entrants for the Responsibility Has Its Rewards sweepstakes are all MLB fans who pledged to be responsible at an MLB ballpark during the regular season. Entry was also available online or by mail.

For the last seven seasons, several MLB Clubs have competed in Budweiser Good Sport Designated Driver Challenges. These challenges incorporated competition into the responsibility message. Since TEAM Coalition began engaging sports teams in responsibility challenges, the participating teams have seen a 25% increase in designated driver program participation on average.

Christy Verbosky is the TEAM Coalition lead for MLB. You can reach Christy by email christy@teamcoalition.org or phone 703-201-1455.