Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Guardians have struck a new 13-year deal for Progressive Insurance to continue as the naming rights partner of Progressive Field through the 2036 season.
MLB.com said the new agreement would automatically be extended at the end of the term through the 2041 baseball season should the ballpark lease be extended through that period.
The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio, US. The Guardians compete in MLB as a member club of the American League Central division. Since 1994, they have played at Progressive Field.
The 35,041-capacity Progressive Field is a Major League Baseball stadium located in the downtown area of Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is the home field of the Cleveland Guardians and, together with the 19,432-capacity Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio, is part of the Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex.
Tricia Griffith, CEO of Progressive, said, “In 2008, we became the proud naming rights partner of Cleveland baseball and for the last 16 years Progressive Field has been part of the fabric of the Cleveland community hosting some of the most unforgettable moments in franchise history.
“Progressive Insurance and the Guardians proudly call Cleveland home, and this agreement symbolizes our collective commitment to each other, the fans of the franchise, and the Northeast Ohio community. We look forward to being a part of many more memories at the ballpark in the years to come.”
The new agreement solidifies a 29-year commitment to one another. The company will also remain the official insurance provider of the Cleveland Guardians.
Cleveland Guardians President of Business Brian Barren added, “We are thrilled to ensure the name Progressive Field remains through at least the 2036 season.
“As we continue to upgrade and reimagine our ballpark, continuing our partnership with Progressive gives our fans a consistent ballpark name with a worldwide brand, who is also a pillar of the Northeast Ohio community.”
As part of the extension, new Progressive signage will be incorporated around the exterior of the ballpark.
For the start of the 2024 season, a significant focus will be adding new signage at the home plate entrance on the corner of Carnegie and Ontario.
Progressive Field renovations
Progressive Field is currently undergoing a series of renovations, some of which were on show for the new season’s Opening Day.
To allow for the clubhouse expansion, a new four-level E. 9th street building has been erected in right field to allow for a new kitchen and commissary for the Guardians concessionaire, as well as additional storage facilities for the Ballpark.
A revamped Upper Deck features multiple social spaces for fans to enjoy the game. The new-look Upper Deck features a Beer Garden down the left field line, a new group outing space in right field, and new concession spaces, including two new View Box bars that will flank home plate and allow for more open sightlines from the Upper Deck concourse.
Other improvements slated to be ready for 2025 Opening Day include:
- The current Terrace Club will be reimagined as an open-air hub with terraced-ticketed seating on the 200 and 300-levels, and a new expansive authentic-to-Cleveland Beer Hall food and beverage experience on the 400-level that will be open to all ticketed patrons at Progressive Field. The ticketed seating sections will have their own private club space on the 300-level.
- The new Dugout Club will combine the best of both worlds when it comes to premium seating, allowing for the same great field-level seats that currently exist while creating a new exclusive lounge behind home plate. The Club will also feature seven private lounges to allow for groups to enjoy an exclusive experience.
- Both clubhouses, as well as the ballpark Service Level, will be updated for the first time since the ballpark opened in 1994. The new home clubhouse will be completely reimagined with a focus on player amenities in performance, training and recovery.
- The Guardians Front Office will also be fully renovated for the first time since 1994. As part of the renovation, the Guardians will add a fifth floor to the current four-level structure.
The funding for the projects is supported by a lease agreement which runs until 2036 (with potential options to extent to 2046) and was agreed upon between the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, State of Ohio, the Gateway Economic Development Corporation and the Cleveland Guardians.
The estimated total of the projects will be $202.5 million with $67.5 million coming from the Cleveland Guardians. The Guardians are also responsible to provide additional funds to cover cost overages, if any, that may result from the projects.
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