CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Guardians won’t be changing the name of their ballpark anytime soon.
The team announced a 13-year deal with Progressive Insurance to be its primary insurance provider on Wednesday, an agreement that will keep its downtown home called Progressive Field through the 2036 season.
Progressive initially bought the naming rights in 2008. Prior to that, the ballpark was known as Jacobs Field, named after former owner Dick Jacobs and his family.
The Guardians are in the midst of a massive reconstruction project at the ballpark, which opened in 1994.
The team said the new agreement could be pushed through 2041 if the ballpark lease is extended through that period.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
“Progressive Insurance and the Guardians proudly call Cleveland home, and this agreement symbolizes our collective commitment to each other, the fans of the franchise, and the Northeast Ohio community,” Progressive CEO Tricia Griffith said. “We look forward to being a part of many more memories at the ballpark in the years to come.”
New Progressive signs have been added at the ballpark’s entrance, and as part of the extension, more signage will be incorporated around the exterior.
In 2021, the team changed its name from Indians to Guardians, ending months of internal discussions triggered by a national reckoning by institutions and teams to permanently drop logos and names considered racist.
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