Ripken Baseball Looking For Naming-Rights Partner For Ballpark In Aberdeen

Ripken Baseball said that it is "looking for a naming-rights sponsor" for Ripken Stadium, home of the Single-A New York-Penn League Aberdeen IronBirds, according to Jeff Barker of the Baltimore SUN. The Ripken name would "not disappear from the 6,300-seat stadium," but instead would be "paired with that of a new business partner." Bank of America was a previous naming-rights partner for the ballpark, but the two "parted ways amicably after the deal expired five years ago" (Baltimore SUN, 8/4). Ripken Baseball VP/Brand Marketing Colin Clark said that the IronBirds "want to nab a multi-year deal worth around $500,000 annually." In Baltimore, Ryan Sharrow reports the team is planning to "target companies based in the state." The "surrounding youth baseball complex in Aberdeen is not included in the naming rights deal." The move comes as the IronBirds "have made several enhancements this season to the 12-year-old stadium, with new sponsorship opportunities following along" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/4).