The NASL San Antonio Scorpions yesterday announced a presenting sponsorship with Toyota that includes “naming rights for the Scorpions' soccer-specific stadium,” according to Dan McCarney of the SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS. Scorpions Owner Gordon Hartman said that the deal is a "multiyear, multimillion-dollar agreement.” McCarney notes the Scorpions are in their inaugural season in the NASL, which is the second tier of U.S. club soccer, and the deal is "believed to be among the largest corporate sponsorships ever signed by a San Antonio professional sports franchise outside of the Spurs.” Hartman said that Toyota Field, "slated to be completed for next season, will initially hold 8,000 with the capability of expanding capacity up to 18,500.” Team President Michael Hitchcock said that the Scorpions, who “expect to clear a small profit this season, are projecting revenues to triple at Toyota Field.” Scorpions coach Tim Hankinson said that he “hopes to increase the player payroll, now at roughly $400,000, by up to 30 percent for next season.” McCarney notes, "Only one other NASL franchise, the Carolina RailHawks, has sold the naming rights for its stadium, WakeMed Soccer Park" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 8/29).
