KANSAS CITY, Kan. – At a time when stadium naming rights are difficult for teams to secure, the Kansas City T-Bones know their ballpark will keep the same name for years to come.
The T-Bones and CommunityAmerica Credit Union announced on Tuesday that they have reached a long-term renewal of the naming rights to CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Per policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.
The stadium has been known as CommunityAmerica Ballpark ever since the T-Bones moved to Kansas City from Duluth, Minn., 10 years ago. And the union has worked so well for both parties that when it came time to renew, it was a natural, easy decision for each side.
“Ten years ago, we could not have made up a better name for the ballpark,” said T-Bones President Adam Ehlert. “In practice, we could not have invented a better, stronger partner. CommunityAmerica Credit Union is very well-aligned with our values and focus, and most significantly, our fans really appreciate that. I am also tremendously proud of our staff — their daily dedication allowed our product to speak for itself. This really was a partnership that both parties were equally excited to continue.”
“We are thrilled to extend our partnership with the Kansas City T-Bones,” said Lisa Ginter, CommunityAmerica Credit Union Chief Operating Officer. “More than just a naming rights sponsorship, CommunityAmerica Ballpark clearly demonstrates our commitment to providing our community with affordable family-friendly entertainment. We believe this sponsorship brings more awareness to Kansas Citians that they can — and should— be members of our Credit Union to benefit from our sincere approach to helping them succeed financially. For that reason and more, we consider this a homerun for both organizations.”
When the union between the companies began 10 years ago, both parties were taking a leap of faith. The T-Bones took a risk as, essentially, the first tenant in what has become one of the busiest areas in the Kansas City Metro. CommunityAmerica Credit Union made a significant investment in putting its name on a stadium simply based on spec drawings and a little knowledge of independent baseball.
Now, 10 years later, more than three million fans have come to CommunityAmerica Ballpark for baseball games, although it’s been used, also, for professional soccer matches, concerts, various photo and video shoots, and even a record for the Guinness Book of World Records.
With the agreement in place, the T-Bones, which have the second-highest attendance in the 13-team American Association, will continue to offer innovative promotions and ticket plans, while also staying true to their motto: Fun...Well Done.
