Merger Bringing Name Change to Suntrust Park

One way or another, it looks like the Atlanta Braves are going to be playing in a park that will not be named SunTrust. The $66 billion acquisition of SunTrust by BB&T Corp. means the two huge banks will be merged into one company under a new name, which has yet to be decided.  Read more here.

Say Goodbye to Miller Park, Hello to New Naming-Rights Partner

Miller Park signage will disappear from Milwaukee’s baseball stadium after 2020, when Madison (WI)-based American Family Insurance takes over naming rights from MillerCoors.  The deal was announced Tuesday.  Read more here and here.  Not all fans are happy, as 30,000 sign petition opposing any name change.  Read more here.

The Brewers and @amfam have announced a long-term agreement which includes the naming rights for Miller Park beginning in 2021 and continuing for 15 years. The future name and branding elements for the stadium will be announced at a later date.

DETAILS: https://t.co/CUNqxkLbDH pic.twitter.com/m3avI4oE4q

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) January 22, 2019

New Amarillo Ballpark Named ‘Hodgetown’

The Amarillo Sod Poodles(Double-A, Texas League) today announced that they have entered into a ballpark naming-rights partnership, renaming the home of the Sod Poodles “Hodgetown”. Read more here.

🚨Breaking🚨There are a lot of people who helped bring affiliated baseball back to the Texas Panhandle. A big thank you to Jerry Hodge for spearheading this dream come true.
Hodgetown: Home of your Amarillo Sod Poodles
Full story: https://t.co/C06YQqfSTJ pic.twitter.com/InNYClzk0X

— Amarillo Sod Poodles (@sodpoodles) January 17, 2019

Comerica Extends Ballpark Naming Rights Deal

Dallas (TX)-based Comerica Bank said Friday it will exercise an option to extend its Comerica Park naming rights deal an additional five years, taking it through 2034.  Read more here.

Generals Issue RFP for Ballpark Naming Rights

PRESS RELEASE – The Jackson Generals have created an RFP (Request for Proposal) for the most unique opportunity of Stadium Naming Rights. The Generals play in a 6,000-seat stadium, currently known as The Ballpark at Jackson, that was built in 1998 and is located directly on Interstate 40 in Jackson, TN.

Naming Rights Details Coming Today for Rangers’ New Home

The Texas Rangers’ new $1 billion retractable roof ballpark won’t be ready until 2020, but the team is ready to give it a name.  The team has scheduled a press conference for 11 a.m. Thursday to give out details about the naming rights for the new ballpark.  Read more here.

No More Dr. Pepper Ballpark in Frisco

After nearly 15 years as the naming rights sponsor of the city-owned ballpark, Dr Pepper is stepping back. The Plano (TX)-based company’s contract expires at the end of September, meaning a new corporate team will get to put its moniker on the home of the Frisco RoughRiders (Double-A, Texas League).  Read more here.

No More ‘Safeco Field’ After 2018

Safeco Insurance and the Seattle Mariners jointly announced Tuesday that their 20-year ballpark naming rights deal will not be extended past 2018.  The question now is, who will have their name on the ballpark next?  Read more here.

McKechnie Field Now LECOM Park, Last-Surviving McKechnie Relative Not Happy

Earlier this month, the Pittsburgh Pirates announced a ballpark sponsorship deal that would rename their spring training facility LECOM Park.  Since 1962, the ballpark had been McKechnie Field in honor of Hall-of-Famer Bill McKechnie.  Read more here.  Carol Montgomery (85), McKechnie’s daughter, feels “it’s a slap in the face,” despite the move by the Pirates to rename their state-of-the-art home clubhouse in McKechnie’s honor.  Read more here.

U.S. Cellular Paid for Early Exit of Ballpark Naming Rights Deal

U.S. Cellular reportedly paid $13 million to get out of its baseball field naming rights deal with the Chicago White Sox early, freeing up resources it can use in other markets.  Read more here.

Stompers Extend Ballpark Naming Rights Deal with Sponsor

The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club has extended its partnership with Peoples Home Equity Mortgage Lending, through the 2018 season.  As Presenting Partner of Stompers Baseball, the club’s home will continue to be known as Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field.  Read more here.  Read press release here.

Baysox Seeking Ballpark Naming Rights Partner

PRESS RELEASE – The Bowie Baysox announce today they are seeking a stadium naming rights partner for Prince George’s Stadium. The 2017 season with be the team’s 24th year playing at Prince George’s Stadium and the franchise will be celebrating its 25th season.

White Sox Ballpark Gets New Name

U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, will be called Guaranteed Rate Field beginning November 1. A 13-year deal gives the mortgage lender the naming rights for the team’s ballpark.  Read more here.

Broker Being Sought to Sell Naming Rights to Pensacola Ballpark

Ed Spears, the Executive Director of Community Maritime Park Associates, say that work is underway to sell the naming rights to Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, home of the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Southern League), for between $250,000 and $500,000 (annually, we assume).  The deadline for brokers to submit their proposals is August 25 at 2:00 p.m.  Read more here.

Tbaytel Secures Naming Rights for Port Arthur Stadium

PRESS RELEASE – The Thunder Bay Border Cats organization is proud to announce that Tbaytel has obtained the exclusive field naming rights for Port Arthur Stadium. Starting with the 2014 baseball season, all home games will now be played at the newly named Tbaytel Park.

Companies Show Interest in Nashville Ballpark Naming Rights

The start of construction on the new Triple-A Nashville Sounds (Pacific Coast League) stadium is still a week away, but companies have already started vying for the rights to put their name on the $38 million minor league ballpark.  Read more here.

So, Let’s Talk About Ballpark Naming Rights

As the Double-A Altoona Curve (Eastern League) prepare to formally unveil the team’s ballpark naming rights deal with Peoples Natural Gas, the Altoona Mirror has tried to pin down the possible financial take for the club by talking with industry experts.  We generally agree with the stated six-figure annual payments spread over 10 to 15 years for deals at this level, but ballpark naming rights