The newly named MAPFRE Stadium is shown here hosting the 2005 MLS All-Star Game. Columbus Crew SC announced Tuesday morning a historic deal with MAPFRE Insurance to see the stadium renamed. Photo/Wikimedia
[dropcap]C[/dropcap]0lumbus Crew SC announced Tuesday morning that they have partnered with MAPFRE Insurance in a historic deal that will see Crew Stadium renamed to MAPFRE Stadium.
The Crew SC home was the first soccer-specific stadium in the United States, built in 1999. Crew SC has spent 17 of its 20 MLS seasons at the stadium, which has also hosted community events and larger-than-life acts such as those at Rock on the Range.
The logo for the newly named MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus. Photo/Columbus Crew SC
“We are thrilled to be partnering with a world-class company like MAPFRE Insurance and thank them for their support of Crew SC and our efforts in Columbus,” said Columbus Crew SC Investor-Operator and Chairman Anthony Precourt in a press release sent out by the team. “This agreement is a culmination of the thorough, thoughtful planning and hard work that we promised Columbus and our fans from the first day Precourt Sports Ventures purchased the team 19 months ago. Dynamic business partnerships like this are part of our strategy to be a winning organization. We expect MAPFRE Stadium to become an even greater place for our growing fan base to cheer on Columbus’ original major league franchise for years to come.”
Pronounced as MAH-fray, the naming of the stadium follows suit of many major sports stadiums and arenas across the country in having it’s name come from a major sponsor or partner. Examples of this include Ford Field in Detroit, Staples Center in Los Angeles and US Cellular Field in Chicago.
The stadium opened its doors on May 15, 1999, with the Black & Gold defeating the New England Revolution by a 2-0 final. Crew SC has played a total of 249 MLS regular-season matches at MAPFRE Stadium, accumulating a record of 126-65-58. The club has also hosted 11 MLS Cup Playoff matches at MAPFRE Stadium, including the 2008 Eastern Conference Championship, which saw the Black & Gold edge the Chicago Fire by a 2-1 final ahead of the club’s first-ever MLS Cup title.
In 2014, Crew SC experienced a surge in Columbus en route to the third seed in the Eastern Conference and a trip to the MLS Cup Playoffs. The club finished the regular season on a 6-0-0 streak at home and went 9-4-4 in Columbus overall. Last season, Crew SC also set an all-time total attendance record and an all-time sellouts record since moving to the venue in 1999.
The deal between Columbus and MAPFRE Insurance is the largest partnership in club history. The stadium will remain the home of many events, including Crew SC’s community program, Give Forward. MAPFRE will become the official auto, life and home insurance sponsor of Columbus Crew SC in this new deal.
“Establishing this partnership with Columbus Crew SC is a very proud moment for MAPFRE,” said Jaime Tamayo, President and CEO of MAPFRE North America. “MAPFRE Stadium not only enhances the MAPFRE brand in the United States but also reinforces our commitment to the local Ohio market. At MAPFRE, we pride ourselves in being people who take care of people.”
This agreement is the latest in a string of investments and achievements from Precourt Sports Ventures since Anthony Precourt became investor-operator of the club in July 2013. The group has made a multi-million dollar infrastructure investment, which includes the new scoreboard at the south side of the stadium as well as two 42-foot long LED ribbon displays on the upper deck fascia and the creation of Premier East seating.
The group also expanded the lower concourses of the stadium and renovated the locker room and Obetz training facility last season. Crew SC hosted the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2011 last season while setting sellout and attendance records during the 2014 campaign.
Through all of the rebranding by Crew SC, the club has announced efforts to create a more authentic Columbus experience in MAPFRE Stadium.
The stadium has been a spiritual home for US Soccer since its opening. The United States’ undefeated success inside the home of Crew SC includes four FIFA World Cup qualifying wins against Mexico — all be a 2-0 final — which has led to the rallying cry Dos a Cero in the city. the newly-named MAPFRE Stadium has hosted Women’s WorldCup matches in 2013, the MLS Cup in 2001, high school and NCAA soccer championships as well as the 2000 and 2005 MLS All-Star Games.
It was named the world’s most influential stadium of the decade by Stadia Magazine in 2010. Twice in the last five years, the club has been awarded SportsTurf Professional Soccer Field of the Year.
MAPFRE Insurance is a global company, serving more than 23 million customers in 47 countries. Global revenues in 2014 are approximately $35 billion. MAPFRE Insurance began in the US as The Commerce Group in 1972 before being acquired by MAPFRE in 2008. Headquartered in Massachusetts, the company has done business in 19 states.
“MAPFRE Insurance is a global leader and today’s historic announcement is validation that both Columbus Crew SC and the City of Columbus have a rightful place on the international stage,” said Crew SC President of Business Operations Andy Loughnane. “MAPFRE Stadium is an iconic venue that will continue to proudly honor the heritage of our franchise while representing the evolution of our club.”
Columbus is set to begin its 20th season Saturday at Houston before returning to MAPFRE Stadium for the home opener against Toronto FC March 14.
“We are excited to partner with the Black & Gold,” said Pat McDonald, Executive Vice President at MAPFRE. “The passion and dedication of Crew SC fans reflects MAPFRE’s dedication and commitment to our customers and to the local Ohio community.”
The primary new logo for MAPFRE Stadium. Photo/Columbus Crew SC
