The signage on the South Side ballpark that the Chicago White Sox call home will be changed this week. Starting today, workers will begin installing signage indicating the new name of the ballpark: Guaranteed Rate Field. The name change will officially go into effect starting tomorrow.
The Chicago-based mortgage lender announced the 13-year deal with the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority for naming rights on the ballpark in late August. Fan reception of the news was lukewarm at best as many took to social media to comment on the new name and signage for the ballpark. Even some other Chicago professional sports franchises jumped on the bandwagon of poking fun at the decision.
However, a representative from Guaranteed Rate tells us that there won’t be any changes to their logo and that they’re moving ahead with the installation of the new signage. Linda Marsicano, Guaranteed Rate’s VP of Public Relations, is looking to clear up some of the rumors and speculation about the new naming rights deal and told us the following:
Guaranteed Rate is really excited about this partnership — we are huge Chicago sports fans and we’re thrilled to be part of the White Sox family.
There had been a lot of speculation about whether the company would change its logo (we are not) or that the logo wouldn’t appear on signage at the ballpark due to the downward arrow (it will). The first signage is going up later today.
Known officially as U.S. Cellular Field since 2003, White Sox fans will have to adjust to yet another name change for the ballpark. Regardless of the lackluster reception from fans and South Siders, the move will certainly raise the visibility of the mortgage lender, which employs more than 3,000 people nationally and over 700 in Chicago.
- Open thread: What will you call the White Sox’s stadium? [Curbed Chicago]
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