Key Takeaways
- Huntington Bank has acquired the naming rights for the Cleveland Browns’ stadium for the next 20 years, making the team’s home “Huntington Bank Field.”
- The Columbus, Ohio-based bank bought the naming rights for the Browns’ “existing stadium or a new one.”
- The team and city are in the midst of months of disputes over whether the Browns will remain in Cleveland or build a new stadium in the suburbs.
Huntington Bank (HBAN) has acquired the naming rights to the stadium where the Cleveland Browns are set to kick off their NFL season against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
The Browns, who are in a debate with the city over whether their next stadium will remain in Cleveland or be built in a suburb, will now play at “Huntington Bank Field” for the next 20 years, the bank and team announced Tuesday.
New Name Comes Amid Stadium Dispute
The move comes amid months of controversy between the team and city over whether the Browns’ next stadium will remain on the coast of Lake Erie, with the team releasing renderings of a potential stadium with a roof in the suburb of Brook Park earlier this month.
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said Tuesday that updates about the stadium plans would be coming soon, The Athletic reported. Tuesday’s announcement also referenced the uncertainty, as Huntington Bank Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Steve Steinour said the Columbus, Ohio-based bank is excited to partner with the team “whether in the existing stadium or a new one.”
The bank will also be the Browns’ official banking partner, and the sides said they would work together to “launch new and dynamic ways to strengthen communities and neighborhoods” across the region.
The venue, located near the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, was known as “Cleveland Browns Stadium” when it opened in 1999 until 2013, when it changed its name to “FirstEnergy Stadium.” It reverted back to its original name last year following a bribery scandal involving the utility company.