An official announcement on Tuesday will mark the end of Miller Park as the name for the home of the Milwaukee Brewers, as the naming rights deal with MillerCoors expires in 2020. American Family Insurance will pick up the naming rights beginning with the 2021 season.
The Brewers are holding a 2 p.m. press conference to announce the deal. Reports surfaced Tuesday morning that MillerCoors employees were notified about the expiration of the deal, and that American Family Insurance would become the new naming rights sponsor for the home park of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Official Announcement:
The Milwaukee Brewers and American Family Insurance today announced a long-term agreement which includes the naming rights for Miller Park beginning in 2021 and continuing for 15 years. The future name and branding elements for the stadium will be announced at a later date. “We are excited to elevate our partnership with American Family Insurance, a heritage Wisconsin company that has been a sponsor of the Brewers since 2001 and one that shares our core values,” said Brewers Chairman and Principal Owner Mark Attanasio. “This is a significant commitment that reflects American Family’s growing presence in Milwaukee, as well as their support of the Brewers. We look forward to all of the benefits this new partnership will bring to both of our organizations and to fans of the team.” The partnership goes well beyond the naming rights to the ballpark. The Brewers and American Family Insurance will collaboratively fund community projects, including refurbishing youth and high school baseball fields. The two organizations will also work on marketing and promotional initiatives to enhance the fan and customer experience in both the stadium and in the community. Founded in 1927 and based in Madison, Wisconsin, American Family Insurance is the largest provider of personal auto and homeowners insurance in Wisconsin. “We are thrilled to support and join the continuing transformation of a franchise and city that mean so much to so many people in our home state,” said Jack Salzwedel, American Family Insurance chair and chief executive officer. American Family Insurance will succeed MillerCoors, the title sponsor of Miller Park since the ballpark opened in 2001, the same year that American Family Insurance started its marketing partnership with the Brewers. The stadium will retain the Miller Park name through the conclusion of the 2020 season. The final five years of the naming rights agreement is predicated on an extension of the Brewers stadium lease. The lease currently runs through the 2030 season. “Twenty years ago our company stepped forward to help keep the Brewers here, a move that built on our longstanding relationship with the team and our commitment to Wisconsin – whether that’s at Packers and Bucks games, at Summerfest and the State Fair or in countless other ways,” said Jim Kanter, MillerCoors’ General Manager for Wisconsin. “While the name on the stadium will change following the 2020 season, our relationship with the Brewers is as strong as ever and fans will continue to celebrate with one of our beloved brands as they have for generations.” Miller Park has hosted over 46 million visitors to baseball games in its first 18 seasons, an average of more than 2.5 million fans per season. Over 3 million fans attended games at Miller Park during the 2018 season.
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