Cheaper By The Dozen? Allianz' Naming-Rights Deal With Minn United Is For 12 Years

Allianz' naming-rights deal for Minnesota United's new MLS stadium scheduled to open in '19 "will run for 12 years," according to Todd Nelson of FINANCE & COMMERCE. The company and club declined to discuss financial terms of the deal (FINANCE-COMMERCE.com, 7/25). Minnesota United Owner Bill McGuire said that discussions with Allianz "intensified in the last year or so, but the idea actually first came up about three years ago as a 'bit of a dream' when United was first exploring entering" MLS. McGuire said that since then there was "much discussion on what the second part of the stadium’s name would be, and it came down to wanting to diversify not only from Allianz’s other stadium names but also other names in the Twin Cities market." That, and he said Allianz Pitch “doesn’t quite have the ring” (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 7/26).