Get ready to say goodbye to U.S. Cellular Field and hello to Guaranteed Rate Field.
The Chicago White Sox announced Wednesday that beginning Nov. 1, the team's ballpark will be named Guaranteed Rate Field after inking a 13-year naming rights agreement with the national mortgage lender.
The owner and operator of the ballpark, the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority (ISFA), approved the name change at a board meeting Wednesday afternoon. The Sox retain an option under the team's ballpark lead that could extend the rights deal an additional year through 2030.
"We are pleased to find, in Guaranteed Rate, a new naming rights partner founded in Chicago by Chicagoans, which shares our commitment to the city and to our fans," White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. "We view this partnership as an opportunity to connect a successful Chicago business with a historic baseball franchise, and we look forward to growing this important relationship over the coming years as millions of fans enjoy White Sox baseball at Guaranteed Rate Field."
"We are incredibly excited and honored to be part of the White Sox family," said Victor Ciardelli, president & CEO of Guaranteed Rate. "It really is a dream come true to have the Guaranteed Rate name on a hometown Chicago ballpark. We love this city and its baseball fans, and couldn't be happier to partner with an iconic team and a legendary owner in Jerry Reinsdorf. We look forward to many great years of White Sox baseball at Guaranteed Rate Field."
The Sox played at New Comiskey Park from 1991-2002 before a naming rights agreement changed the ballpark's name to U.S. Cellular Field from 2003-2016.
"U.S. Cellular has been an important and valued partner to the organization," Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Brooks Boyer said in a statement. "The partnership with U.S. Cellular paved the way for a complete, top-to-bottom renovation of the ballpark that transformed the White Sox fan experience. We celebrated many memorable moments at U.S. Cellular Field throughout the years, including the 2005 World Series title. Looking forward, we will make many more incredible memories for our fans at Guaranteed Rate Field with a successful and growing partner who shares our passion for Chicago."
Financial terms of the deal between the Sox and Guaranteed Rate were not disclosed.
