Cougars stadium to become Fifth Third Bank Ballpark
The Kane County Cougars inked a five-year deal to rename their Geneva stadium the Fifth Third Bank Ballpark beginning with the 2012 season, the team announced Tuesday.
As part of the deal, the Kane County Events Center, which encompasses the baseball stadium and other venues off Kirk Road, will be renamed the Philip B. Elfstrom Events Center.
The Cougars' stadium originally was named after Elfstrom, a former Kane County Forest Preserve president and Kane County Board chairman who helped bring the minor league team to the suburbs more than 20 years ago.
“We have the utmost respect for Mr. Elfstrom. He was a visionary,” said Cougars General Manager Curtis Haug. “It's a very generous commitment from Fifth Third Bank. We're just thrilled to have them as a partner.”
He declined to disclose financial terms of the deal, but stressed the sponsorship will help the team help fans enjoy themselves at the ballpark.
“We're always trying to improve the fan experience. It's fan first,” Haug said. “The improvements you'll see and the changes you'll see in the 2012 season will be evident. Sponsorship is important. It keeps ticket prices down. It keeps concessions down. It keeps it affordable for fans.”
Fifth Third officials didn't disclose the terms of the deal, either.
“As we have enjoyed a substantial presence throughout Kane County and its neighboring communities, we are excited to partner our brand with the Kane County Cougars,” said Robert A. Sullivan, president and CEO of Fifth Third Bank.The Cougars, which had been a minor league farm club for the Baltimore Orioles, Florida Marlins and Oakland Athletics now works with the Kansas City Royals. The team opens its season April 9 and has drawn more than 400,000 fans for 18 years straight. The team also will host the Midwest League All-Star Game on June 19.