If you don’t have anything nice to say…
Philadelphia’s Jonathan Papelbon leaves the field as fans react after he gave up a three run home run to the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on Monday. The Mets won 5-2. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
Howard and Chase / © Brad Nau
Weapons of choice for Ryan Howard and Chase Utley in the Phillies dugout.
A large bronze statue of Hall of Famer Richie Ashburn stands in “Ashburn Alley” directly behind center field at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
Photo by RSH3339
Phillies Nation by Bryan Sargent
Photo taken at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Philles
The naming rights to all 3 of Philadelphia’s professional sports venues belong to banks. Wells Fargo Center (21 years $40M) Citizens Bank Park (25 years $57.5M) Lincoln Financial Field (21 years $139.6M)
Nearly 20% of the teams in the four major sports leagues have the name of a financial services company affixed to their home building.
Companies invest in stadium naming rights because it gives them long-term brand awareness, but banks seem to have a built a special relationship with sports. That’s because when a bank buys a sponsorship, they’re not just getting the right to paste their name on a big building — they become financial partners with the team.
Bank sponsors can help with budgeting, ticketing, and even media rights. They’re able to issue affiliated credit and debit cards, set up ATM’s inside the venues, and have big box seats to use at their leisure. That’s why banks have signed more than $2 billion worth of naming rights contracts since 1998, with deals ranging from five to 30 years.
Citizens Bank Park: Home of the Philadelphia Phillies
I felt what I almost always feel when I am watching a ballgame: Just for those two or three hours, there is really no place I would rather be.
Let There Be Light by lizard2289
Photo taken at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Vintage Classic
Rangers rally for 3-2 win in 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park.
The Poor Man’s Winter Classic by ADW44
Photo taken at the alumni game between former Flyers and Rangers players played on December 31, 2011.
