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Major League Soccer franchise Real Salt Lake has signed a stadium naming-rights partnership with America First Credit Union.
The deal officially rebrands the team’s home stadium as America First Field. America First, one of RSL’s longest serving partners, replaces metals and mining company Rio Tinto as the stadium’s sponsor.
The venue had been known as Rio Tinto Stadium since opening in 2008. Financial terms of America First’s deal with RSL were not disclosed but the KSL Sports website reported that the agreement will run for at least 15 years and will be worth more than $5m (£4.3m/€4.9m) annually.
RSL president John Kimball said: “Since our inaugural game back in 2005, America First Credit Union has supported Real Salt Lake’s connection with this community, offering our amazing fans numerous in-stadium, grassroots and digital initiatives.
“This partnership has grown immensely over our 18 seasons, and today’s unveiling of the America First Field signage and nomenclature propels the partnership to an entirely new level. Both RSL and America First Credit Union share many tenets, including an ambitious vision of, commitment to, and innovation for our collective community.
“The depth, breadth and term of this naming-rights deal for America First Field is exemplary of that partnership, and we look forward to further deepening our jointly held roots across not only the great state of Utah but throughout the Intermountain West.”
America First’s deal with RSL will continue to include a co-branded debit and credit card, which will provide holders with exclusive benefits such as discounted tickets, concessions, merchandise and special access to events.
The newly-named America First Field has hosted 270 RSL games and also staged the second leg of the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League Final, as well as NWSL games, the MLS All-Star Game, Olympic and World Cup qualifiers, and Gold Cup games.
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