Photo by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey
At a press conference on Monday, November 18th, the Houston Astros announced a new naming rights partner for their home ballpark that will go into effect in January 2025. The ballclub announced a 15-year rights partnership with Daikin Comfort Technologies, a company that labels itself as a “leading global indoor comfort solutions provider”. The stadium will be known going forward as Daikin Park.
When the Astros new park opened in 2000, it was known as Enron Field until 2002. The Coca-Cola Company took over branding rights in 2002, with the park rechristened as Minute Maid Park.
“We want to thank Minute Maid and The Coca-Cola Company for their longstanding commitment to our ballpark,” Astros owner Jim Crane said in a statement. "Minute Maid came on board at a very critical time in our history and we are thrilled they will continue to remain a partner of the Astros for many years to come”.
The energy company known as Enron originally had a 30-year naming rights agreement before its shocking bankruptcy and dissolution in 2001. The new agreement with Daikin runs through the 2039 season.
“We hope to make that name present and popular around town,” Crane said at the press conference. “We’ve had the honor and the privilege to spend a lot of time with the Daikin team at all levels and get more excited about the partnership in each and every engagement we have with them. They’re truly a world-class organization”.
According to a release from the Astros, Daikin develops, manufactures, sells, and supports heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration equipment. The company has more than 98,000 employees worldwide, including 10,000 in the Houston area. Daikin operates a 4.2 million square foot campus in Waller, Texas, which is about 45 minutes northwest of downtown.
“We strongly believe that Daikin shares the values of business excellence, employee engagement and commitment to the community and are perfectly aligned with the Astros,” Crane said. “And this partnership brings two very great brands together”.
Photo by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey
Minute Maid Park played home to the greatest successes in Astros history – the team made five World Series appearances as tenants of the park, winning titles in 2017 and 2022. The ballpark was also home to the 2004 MLB All-Star Game.
“Daikin fit all of the criteria we set out to find in a naming rights partner,” said Matt Brand, the Astros senior vice president of corporate partnerships and special events at the press conference. “Their name and reputation fit our iconic downtown Houston home, and their values mesh perfectly with those of the Astros. We are grateful to partner with the entire Daikin team and to help them succeed in their business goals. Daikin Park will be a special place for our fans for many years to come”.
Minute Maid, which will continue to be a partner of the Houston Astros through 2029, has signage on the interior and exterior of the ballpark that will have to be replaced by January 1st. Houston opens the 2025 season on March 27 against the New York Mets in what will be the first game at Daikin Park.
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