Marlins Senior VP/Communications & Broadcasting P.J. Loyello yesterday said that a “deal is close to being finalized on principal naming rights” for the Marlins’ new ballpark, according to Craig Davis of the South Florida SUN-SENTINEL. Marlins President David Samson in mid-June said that “negotiations were down to two companies.” Samson at the time said, “It’s going to be a very interesting deal when it’s announced. Both companies are international companies.” Craig noted the deal “will be for more than the name on the ballpark.” Loyello said that the partnership is going to be “omnipresent from a marketing standpoint, a community standpoint and, obviously, a presence at the ballpark itself.” The team has “other secondary sponsors lined up to put their names on the four quadrants of the ballpark,” and those deals “will be finalized after the primary naming partnership is announced.” Samson: “We’re not going to finalize those until the naming rights deal is done. It’s a much longer partnership, longer in years and more money” (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 8/2).
PLAY BALL: In West Palm Beach, Joe Capozzi notes the Marlins will open their new ballpark next season against the Yankees with “two exhibition games leading up to opening day.” The Yankees and Marlins will “wrap up spring training by playing at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 1 and at 7:10 p.m. the next night at the new ballpark.” Those games “may be preceded by college games.” The games “will help players get used to” the new ballpark before the home opener against the Cardinals on April 4 (PALM BEACH POST, 8/3). All ’12 season-ticket holders "will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets" to the exhibition games, with a "limited amount of tickets going on sale to the general public in spring of 2012" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 8/3).
