cwsox Posted February 3, 2003 Share Posted February 3, 2003 " CHICAGO (February 3, 2003) - U.S. Cellular, a Chicago-based wireless service provider, and the Chicago White Sox have signed a naming rights agreement that creates the opportunity to pursue dramatic, fan-focused renovations and improvements to the ballpark over the next several years, now named U.S. Cellular Field. The terms of the 23-year agreement include $68 million paid over 20 years. In addition to exposure through significant ballpark signage, the agreement includes various hospitality benefits and joint-marketing opportunities. The White Sox will also extend their lease with ISFA for 15 additional years, through 2025. "U.S. Cellular and the White Sox have forged a unique partnership that will provide the resources for major design changes to the ballpark that will benefit every White Sox fan," said Jerry Reinsdorf, chairman of the White Sox. "Our goal is to transform U.S. Cellular Field and to provide a fun, family-oriented atmosphere for our fans. As a local company committed to its customers in the Chicagoland area, U.S. Cellular is the right partner to make this a reality." Currently, more than 50 percent of major league ballparks feature a corporate name. A major difference between the U.S. Cellular Field partnership and other agreements is that the naming rights revenue provided by this partnership will allow for major changes to the ballpark that improve the fan experience. That is the official WS email press release. Note the Sox have contracted to stay in Chicago through 2025. Thank you Jerry! People attack JR rightly and wrongly but he kept our team in Chicago when we could have lost it and now he has locked the Sox into Chicago for the time period after he no longer owns. Give the man his due respect and thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted February 3, 2003 Share Posted February 3, 2003 I'm excited to see the changes to the stadium. This year JR has done some really good things; but like I have repeatedly said, it will take some time and say *cough* *cough* a World Series Championship and I'll forget!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wsc425 Posted February 3, 2003 Share Posted February 3, 2003 I wish those damn sox executives get there heads out of there arses and tell me the renovations. Stupid Execs :fyou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwsox Posted February 3, 2003 Author Share Posted February 3, 2003 I'm excited to see the changes to the stadium. This year JR has done some really good things; but like I have repeatedly said, it will take some time and say *cough* *cough* a World Series Championship and I'll forget!! True enouh good buddy, true enough! However, as much as I dislike JR at times (plenty of times), I never, ever forget one fact: I am old enough to have lived through almost losing the Sox in Chicago several times, especially 1969 and 1981. JR - despite all his failings - when he bought the Sox, he kept them in Chicago when another buyer may easily have moved them. Those of you who are young may not know how close we came to losing the Sox, just as when Art Allyn may well have sold the Sox away and John Allyn of blessed memory bought the Sox from his brother and kept them in Chicago. (The threat to move the Sox over the new stadium was always a bluff negotiating ploy, as I saw it.) What I know is twice we damn well almsot lost the Sox, and John Allyn and JR both tikmes kept them in Chicago so for me it iks always in the back of my mind when I am otherwise yelling about JR, and why this contract may mean a lot, lot more to me. This contract guarentees that when JR does sell the team, or dies and it passes to others, that we do not have to live with the future threat of the Sox being moved again, and that is the best news I will have this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted February 4, 2003 Share Posted February 4, 2003 I'm excited to see the changes to the stadium. This year JR has done some really good things; but like I have repeatedly said, it will take some time and say *cough* *cough* a World Series Championship and I'll forget!! True enouh good buddy, true enough! However, as much as I dislike JR at times (plenty of times), I never, ever forget one fact: I am old enough to have lived through almost losing the Sox in Chicago several times, especially 1969 and 1981. JR - despite all his failings - when he bought the Sox, he kept them in Chicago when another buyer may easily have moved them. Those of you who are young may not know how close we came to losing the Sox, just as when Art Allyn may well have sold the Sox away and John Allyn of blessed memory bought the Sox from his brother and kept them in Chicago. (The threat to move the Sox over the new stadium was always a bluff negotiating ploy, as I saw it.) What I know is twice we damn well almsot lost the Sox, and John Allyn and JR both tikmes kept them in Chicago so for me it iks always in the back of my mind when I am otherwise yelling about JR, and why this contract may mean a lot, lot more to me. This contract guarentees that when JR does sell the team, or dies and it passes to others, that we do not have to live with the future threat of the Sox being moved again, and that is the best news I will have this year. I'm right there with you on this one. I remember both times the Sox almost moved, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baggio202 Posted February 4, 2003 Share Posted February 4, 2003 "The White Sox will also extend their lease with ISFA for 15 additional years, through 2025." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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