Ducks' search for sponsor under way; Cyclones to play at MCU Park
The home of the Mets-affiliated Brooklyn Cyclones, formerly known as Keyspan Park, will be renamed MCU Park. (File photo, 2009) Credit: Ari Mintz
While the Brooklyn Cyclones finalized their stadium's new naming-rights deal Thursday - KeySpan Park is now MCU Park, for Municipal Credit Union - the search for a new company to sponsor the Ducks' stadium is only getting started.
Suffolk officials remain hopeful that they can find a new sponsor for Citibank Park, but with only 11 weeks until Opening Day, they acknowledge the possibility that the Central Islip stadium could begin the season with a generic name.
In the wake of Citigroup's announcement that it is not interested in renewing its 10-year, $2.3-million naming-rights deal, the county this week finalized its agreement with real estate consultant Newmark Knight Frank to attract interest for a new naming-rights partner.
Newmark principal Jack O'Connor said Thursday the company is about to send a "letter of interest" to potential sponsors, with an emphasis on Long Island-based companies. He said they "ideally" would like to sign a 10-year deal but realize they are facing a different economic challenge than 10 years ago.
Opening Day also is a challenging factor. "We'd like to try to get it done in the next 30 to 60 days," he said. "Whether that's reality or not, we don't know."
O'Connor remains hopeful, however, that the Ducks' strong attendance and overall fan-friendly environment will help draw interest. "Somebody has to work their brand someplace," he said, "and we hope it's going to be the Ducks' stadium."
The Cyclones' deal is for 11 years. Financial terms were not disclosed.
