Native Nation Relationship MLB's Mariners Solidified

The relationship between the Mariners and the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe has evolved, making the Muckleshoot Casino Resort the sole partner of the baseball team.

On Friday, the Mariners unveiled a “long-term, multifaceted partnership” with the Muckleshoot. This alliance “will allow the organizations to work together to impact the broader community throughout the Pacific Northwest.”

Catie Griggs, Mariners president of business operations, commented on the collaboration in a press release, stating, “This partnership is the result of two organizations coming together who share common values and beliefs. We’re thrilled to showcase the Tribe’s heritage and customs at T-Mobile Park and to increase baseball and softball accessibility to more youngsters in our area.”

Late in the 2022 season, the Mariners began discussions with the tribe about potential collaborations. This led to the introduction of the newly renovated premium seating section right behind the home plate, now called the Muckleshoot Diamond Club, at the onset of the 2023 season. This expansive space now showcases tribal artwork, from hand-painted baseball bats bearing Coast Salish patterns to intricately hand-carved canoes and oars.

The walls are adorned with various maps that highlight the tribe’s ancestral hunting and fishing territories, and historical photographs decorate the space. It’s anticipated that this partnership will span further than just the casino or T-Mobile Park.

“Indigenous culture is steeped in game play as a way to strengthen communities, nurture resilience, and advance wellness,” according to Junior Maldonado, executive director of gaming operations at Muckleshoot Casino Resort. “These connective values drive our shared identity with the Mariners. We are grateful for the opportunity to educate fans on the Muckleshoot heritage as this region’s first caretakers and to empower new generations to dream bigger.”

One initiative in community engagement involves a collaborative endeavor to organize five baseball and softball camps in regions with restricted baseball and softball training access. These camps will have past college and pro players as coaches. Additionally, there are plans to establish an after-school baseball and softball growth program for young people at the Muckleshoot Tribal School, targeting middle schoolers — an age demographic that sees the greatest decline in playing opportunities.

According to the announcement, the Muckleshoot will collaborate with and support “organizations that align with the Mariners Care Foundation’s core areas of focus, including advancing equity and justice and making our hometown healthier and more vibrant. Among these entities are the Seattle Foundation’s Fund for Inclusive Recovery, designed to cater to the urgent necessities of those most affected by the pandemic, and the Downtown Emergency Service Center, offering services to numerous homeless and previously homeless individuals via accessible health care, survival aid, and stable housing.”

For the forthcoming Native American Heritage Night on Aug. 28, sponsored by Muckleshoot Casino Resort, Muckleshoot tribal artists have designed a special edition Mariners jersey. This jersey will be distributed to the initial 10,000 attendees aged 21 and over entering the venue. During the match, the Mariners will pay tribute to the traditions and legacy of the Indigenous Peoples throughout the Pacific Northwest.

The Muckleshoot Tribe isn’t new to collaborations with regional pro sports entities. In late February, the tribe entered into an extended alliance with the Seattle Kraken. Through this collaboration, the Muckleshoot became the inaugural Native American tribe to be showcased on a jersey emblem for a leading pro sports team. This tribal insignia was prominently placed on the right side of the Kraken’s home and away jerseys for the 2023 season.