GMC and Grizzlies Announce Naming Rights Deal for New Stadium
Published on May 23, 2002 under Frontier League (FL)
Gateway Grizzlies News Release
The new $6.6 million baseball stadium on I-255 will be known as GMC STADIUM. The stadium, located in Sauget, Illinois, is home to the Gateway Grizzlies professional minor league baseball franchise.
The Grizzlies will open GMC STADIUM Friday, June 7 against the Rockford Riverhawks. The Grizzlies play a 42-game home schedule.
Sauget Village Attorney Dan Hayes said, "Having GMC connected with this facility is a real plus for us. The name GMC says quality and we feel we have the finest minor league baseball stadium in the country." As part of the naming rights package, the name GMC will be positioned prominently on the stadium's highway marquee and the main stadium entrance. GMC also becomes the "Official Vehicle of the Grizzlies".
Grizzlies Managing Officer Rich Sauget called the naming rights deal "just a continuation of our commitment to partner with the community. We are pleased that GMC has made a commitment to supporting inexpensive family entertainment."
Eric Marglous, the Grizzlies General Manager, said "announcing this naming rights package with GMC is the perfect way to top off a great list of corporate partners for the Grizzlies. We know fans are going to enjoy the experience of attending games at GMC STADIUM, America's great new ballpark."
GMC will also be a major corporate partner with the River City Rascals at T.R. Hughes Ballpark in O'Fallon, Missouri. GMC will be the "Official Vehicle of the Rascals".
Brad Nelson, South Central Region Marketing Manager â General Motors Corporation, added, "The Professional Grade Missouri-Illinois GMC Dealers are excited to sponsor the Grizzlies and Rascals and have our name on the great new stadium. This partnership provides a great opportunity to increase awareness of the GMC brand and the full line up of Professional Grade GMC trucks".
There are 14 GMC dealers in the St. Louis metro area.
As part of their involvement with the two professional minor league baseball franchises, GMC receives scorecard and program ads, spots on all 84-radio broadcasts of both teams, spots in the four telecasts of Sonic Crosstown Clash games between the two clubs, billboards in both ballparks, sponsorship of promotional giveaways for both teams, sponsorship of on-field contests during the games at both venues, and the right to display vehicles in the ballparks.
The yearlong package is renewable by all parties each season and is valued at $100,000 annually. The Grizzlies, Rascals, and the Village of Sauget are sharing revenue.
The Rascals and Grizzlies generate over $1.5 million annually in corporate sponsorship sales, plus an additional $500,000 in trade arrangements.
Along with GMC, common corporate partners include Anheuser-Busch, US Bank, Pepsi, Edward Jones, Sonic Drive Ins, Charter Communications, Keystone Partnership, Chevys Fresh Mex, Wehrenberg Theatres, Domino's Pizza, and the Suburban Journals.
The Grizzlies include the Auffenberg Dealer Group, the Belleville News-Democrat, A.G. Edwards, and the Illinois Lottery among their partners.
The Rascals also have marketing deals with the Suntrup Automotive Family, MasterCard, SSM Healthcare, Boeing, Shedd's Spread Country Crock, Baker Pool and Spa, the Educational Employees Credit Union, and others.
Both clubs open the Frontier League season Wednesday, May 29 on the road. The Rascals open their home season Saturday, June 1 with the first of 12 Sonic Crosstown Clash games between the Rascals and Grizzlies.
Tickets for Grizzlies games can be obtained by calling (877) 559-BEAR.
Frontier League Stories from May 23, 2002
- Anthem Singers Needed! - Richmond Roosters
- Two-Game Win Streak for Cheetahs - Windy City ThunderBolts
- GMC and Grizzlies Announce Naming Rights Deal for New Stadium - Gateway Grizzlies
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