HBO’s ‘Last Week Tonight’ has a surprise coming for Erie SeaWolves. What’s the status?

On May 4, John Oliver, the host of “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” featured an in-depth segment on Minor League Baseball team promotions, and announced on May 18 the Erie SeaWolves were selected among 47 teams for a total rebrand.

As of May 29, SeaWolves President Greg Coleman told the Times-News that the SeaWolves and the staff from HBO’s “Last Week Tonight,” minus John Oliver, had a call recently and the “Last Week Tonight” team is working on the name research and potential logo for the Double-A team of the Detroit Tigers in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Major League Baseball is also working to ensure that the show’s preferred timeline can be met for the project.

“We expect the ‘Last Week Tonight’ staff will have their next update for us by the end of June,” Coleman said. “We anticipate the new name, logo and uniforms will be used on the field at least once this season. But MLB and ‘Last Week Tonight’ have to hit key deadlines before there can be a firm timeline.”

Will the John Oliver rebrand be a promotion or a total rebrand?

It has not been decided if the rebrand will be for just a promotional game or games, or if it will be a permanent rebrand for the SeaWolves.

Coleman said the SeaWolves have yet to see a contract, and are open to all rebranding options.

“We are expecting a theme night similar to our Pepperoni Balls or SnowWolves promotions,” Coleman said. “But we have not seen a contract, name or logo yet. Until we do, we have to remain open to all possibilities.”

Opportunity to showcase SeaWolves and Erie

Although there are looming questions with the promotion, Coleman mentioned previously that the SeaWolves are fully on board, and he said it is a unique opportunity for Erie to showcase the team.

“From a team perspective, there’s benefits of having your brand… put out there on such a widespread basis,” Coleman told the Times-News previously. “I think it’ll be something that will bring interest among the fans and is something that brings something new to the team.”

He also said he believes the promotion will highlight the positive aspects of Erie while shedding light on the city.