Denver Rapids in stadium naming deal

Dick's Sporting Goods Inc., based out of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Kroenke Sports Enterprises have agreed to a 20-year contract that will put the sporting goods company brand name on Denver's Major League Soccer stadium.

Next April, the complex that houses MLS Denver Rapids, will be known as Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

The deal is rumoured to be one of the largest in MLS, paying about USD 2 million per year.

The agreement includes media, signs, hospitality, and retail rights in and around the 18,000-seat stadium. The stadium is the new home to the Rapids and has 24 football fields.

The new development will consist of more than 600,000 square feet of retail space where a new Dick's store could be built.

The Denver based Bonham Group had been hired as a consultant in the naming rights search but sources said MLS itself got Dick's Sporting Goods to the table for talks.

"We're excited to be teaming up with the leading sporting goods retailer and one that is changing the market," said Don Garber, MLS Commissioner.

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.