Pats’ Practice Facility To Be Named For Cancer Institute

The Patriots’ practice facility at Gillette Stadium has been named the Dana-Farber Field House, after Boston philanthropist Jack Blais bought the naming rights and donated them to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Blais’ uncle was cured of cancer by Dana-Farber after another hospital diagnosed him as terminally ill (Dana-Farber). In Boston, Sasha Talcott reports Blais put up more than $15M for the ten-year deal. Patriots Owner Bob Kraft said that the team “could have struck a more lucrative sponsorship deal if they sold naming rights to a corporation.” Kraft: “It wasn’t about going after the last dollar here. This is an opportunity to connect a couple of things we really loved. The branding became more important than the financial return.” Execs said that the deal “will give Dana-Farber much-needed national visibility,” as the institute is well-known in New England but “less known across the country.” The institute will be allowed to use Gillette Stadium for events, and can use tickets for patients “and to court potential donors.” Dana-Farber also receives tailgate passes and travel with the team (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/16).