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Fans of the Washington Commanders are marking a significant change following the unanimous approval by NFL team owners for Josh Harris’ acquisition of the franchise from Daniel Snyder, celebrated during the “Burgundy and Sold” event on July 20, 2023.
The team has officially announced a new name for its home stadium: Northwest Stadium. This change comes as part of a recent agreement with Northwest Federal Credit Union that extends through the 2030-31 NFL season. Reports indicate the deal is valued at approximately $8 million annually.
This marks a notable shift for the Commanders, who have been without a naming rights partner since their agreement with FedEx ended prematurely in February. FedEx had been associated with the stadium since 1999, with a partnership intended to last until 2025.
Washington Commanders Managing Partner Josh Harris expressed enthusiasm about the new partnership, stating, “As we continue to work toward our goal of building the Commanders into an elite franchise that consistently competes for championships, we are excited to welcome our team and fans to Northwest Stadium and look forward to creating incredible memories together on the field and in the communities we serve.”
The agreement with Northwest Federal Credit Union not only establishes naming rights but also builds upon an existing sponsorship arrangement that was valued at about $2 million per year without naming rights. The expanded deal will showcase Northwest branding throughout the stadium, including a new logo, and will feature them as the team’s jersey patch partner during practices both in and out of the season. Members of Northwest Federal Credit Union will also receive exclusive benefits, such as discounts on tickets and merchandise.
Northwest Federal Credit Union became the official credit union partner of the Commanders last year, marking the beginning of their relationship with the franchise.
Looking ahead, the Commanders are exploring options for a new stadium either in Washington, D.C. or Virginia. If a new stadium is built before the conclusion of the 2030-31 season, the team retains the right to pursue a new naming rights partner for that facility. Notably, the credit union’s naming rights will not extend to a new stadium, nor do they hold any first refusal rights associated with a potential new venue.
The current highest-valued stadium naming rights deal in the NFL belongs to the Los Angeles Rams, who have a $625 million agreement with SoFi over 20 years. This agreement allows the Rams to receive the bulk of sponsorship revenue, as they own the stadium, while the Chargers also share the venue.
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