These guys really know how to take the warm and cuddly approach! Again, the White Sox ownership proves just how out of touch they are with their fans.
The ballpark currently called U.S. Cellular Field will become known as Guaranteed Rate Field starting in November. The team and the mortgage company announced a 13-year naming rights deal Wednesday.
"We view this partnership as an opportunity to connect a successful Chicago business with a historic baseball franchise, and we look forward to growing this important relationship over the coming years as millions of fans enjoy White Sox baseball at Guaranteed Rate Field," White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said.
The White Sox are below .500 and are on the verge of missing the playoffs for the 10th time in 11 seasons since the 2005 team won the World Series.
"This is a very solid partner that is interested in helping us drive people to the ballpark and giving us the best opportunity to put the best possible product out on the field," White Sox senior vice president of sales and marketing Brooks Boyer said. "The revenue generated for our club ... goes back out into the field. This is a nice step today toward continuing to fulfill the vision of putting the best possible club out on the field that can be out there for our fans."
The agreement was approved by the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, which owns the ballpark. The White Sox hold a one-year option that could extend the deal through 2030.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, though it is estimated to be as much as $95,000,000 over the life of the contract. IFSA chairman Manny Sanchez said the agreement will generate up to $6.4 million for the authority. He also said the IFSA figures to save at least $15 million and as much as $20-$25 million in potential facilities improvements as part of a compromise with the team for approving the naming rights deal.
"This is something that is really, really a serendipitous godsend that we have in my view encountered on behalf of the taxpayers of the state of Illinois," Sanchez said.
"...to put the best product on the field"? What are we missing here? They have restaurants, billboards, restaurants, television and radio broadcast rights, concessions, private party rentals, club boxes, sky boxes and on and on. The product on the field looks like manure, which might make the grass grow greener but certainly doesn't drive people to the park. Back when then Governor Thompson strong armed the legislature into voting for the cell under the veiled threat of the Sox heading for Tampa-St. Pete most held out hope that there'd be more than 1 winning season at Comiskey. I also recall there were supposed to be provisions for some of the displaced businesses to be part of the new development. Looks like all they spread around was bullshit, which seems to be continuing.
ReplyDeleteMethinks Mr. Reinsdorf is getting in position to sell the team.
ReplyDeleteOne can only hope.
DeleteBring back Mc Cuddies
ReplyDeleteLet call it what die hard Sox Fans called it for years... "Kominsky Park"
NAME IT COMISKEY PARK!
ReplyDeleteEverything is about the buck. The place sucks.
ReplyDeleteI stopped going there a few years ago and am never going back.
DeleteOut of touch for sure. Sort of like a few of Matt's predecessors.
ReplyDelete3rd rate baseball.
ReplyDelete