Government is paying $500,000 for a sponsorship deal with the New York Mets, it emerged yesterday.

The amount was confirmed by the Premier, Ewart Brown, at a press conference to announce Government was giving away 12 tickets to a Mets game at the Shea Stadium in New York in May.

Dr. Brown announced the partnership with the Mets last week promising the deal which includes a "Feel the Love Grand Slam Inning" for the hometown fans and a "Feel the Love" branding posted on the scoreboard, would reach about 48,000 attendees of each of the Mets' games. It is anticipated that in the forthcoming season about four million people will attend Mets' games.

The deal also offers two fans in the stands a trip for two if any Mets player hits a grand slam during that inning, a rotating television spot near concession stands, concourse signage throughout the stadium and advertising spreads in the Mets Yearbook and Mets Magazine.

Yesterday, the Premier said the deal would cost approximately $500,000 for this year and if it is a success they would do it again.

Then he presented Tourism's way to give back to the general public in Bermuda giving away 12 luxury suite tickets from the Diamond View area of Shea stadium at a May 12 Mets game – if people have the photos to prove they are true Mets' fans.

He said: "It will be a baseball party for the ages — catered food and drink, special guests, the works. Now I'm not prepared to just give these tickets to anyone, they have to be earned.

"So to get your hands on a pair of tickets you must send us a photograph proving your home team spirit for the New York Mets."

Photographs can be sent to metsfan@gov.bm or hard copies can be dropped off at the Department of Tourism in Global House. The six best entries will each receive two tickets.

He added: "We can't be responsible for your transportation to the game or your lodging, but we can guarantee a good time at the stadium on May 12."