Cleveland Browns Secure 20-Year Naming Rights Deal with Huntington Bank as Stadium's Future Remains Uncertain
CLEVELAND, OH - The Cleveland Browns have entered into a significant 20-year naming rights agreement with Huntington National Bank, officially rebranding their lakefront stadium as Huntington Bank Field. This partnership was announced on Tuesday, just days before the Browns' 2024 season opener against the Dallas Cowboys. The deal positions Huntington Bank, headquartered in Columbus, as the stadium's namesake, as the team contemplates constructing a new domed facility in Brook Park, Ohio.
The Browns’ owners, Dee and Jimmy Haslam, expressed their enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting Huntington Bank's strong ties to Ohio. “We are thrilled to reach a long-term partnership agreement with Ohio’s own Huntington Bank,” the Haslams said in a statement. “Huntington Bank has a long-standing reputation of excellence and they continue to grow both regionally and nationally, while keeping their roots here in Ohio."
During the announcement, Jimmy Haslam emphasized the significance of this deal, stating, “This is huge... It’s a long-term relationship, and we could not be more excited about it.”
This rebranding follows the termination of a previous agreement with FirstEnergy Corp. in 2023. FirstEnergy's partnership with the Browns ended amid controversy after the utility company admitted to paying bribes to Ohio lawmakers. The Browns' stadium had been without a corporate name for 18 months before this new deal was struck.
The terms of the agreement with Huntington Bank have not been disclosed, but the deal includes potential naming rights for a new stadium if the Browns decide to relocate. The team is considering moving to a new, $2.4 billion domed stadium in Brook Park, which would include retail spaces and hotels. The Browns’ current lease at the lakefront stadium, which opened in 1999, expires after the 2028 season.
As the Browns and local government officials deliberate on the future of the stadium, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb has put forth a $461 million proposal to keep the team on the lakefront. The city has also proposed contributing roughly half of a $1.1 billion renovation project for the current stadium. However, the Haslams have yet to make a final decision on whether they will renovate the existing stadium or proceed with building a new one.
Huntington Bank, as part of this deal, will also become the Browns’ official and exclusive banking partner. The bank's chairman, president, and CEO, Steve Steinour, emphasized the significance of this partnership. “This partnership makes us an anchor investor... in our nearly 160-year history,” Steinour said. “Whether in the existing stadium or a new one, the Browns’ commitment to northeast Ohio will continue to spur significant economic growth and development for years to come, and we are excited to be a part of that future.”
The partnership with Huntington Bank also includes plans to launch initiatives aimed at strengthening communities and neighborhoods across Northeast Ohio. Huntington has previously demonstrated its commitment to the region by acquiring the naming rights for Cleveland’s downtown convention center in 2016.
Additional news coverage on this, from other local networks, can be found at the following sources:
Signal Cleveland, "Huntington Bank lands naming rights at Cleveland Browns stadium," published on September 3, 2024. Available online.
The Times Reporter, "Cleveland Browns, Huntington Bank reach 20-year agreement, including stadium naming rights," published on September 3, 2024. Available online.
Sports Business Journal, "Browns tap Columbus-based Huntington Bank as new stadium naming-rights sponsor," published on September 3, 2024. Available online.
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