On behalf of the Santa Clara Stadium Authority, the San Francisco 49ers announced on Wednesday they have formed a global partnership with CAA Sports, a division of Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the world's leading entertainment and sports agency, to bring to market the naming rights for the Stadium Authority's new stadium in the heart of Silicon Valley. Naming rights to the new stadium will provide corporate partners unparalleled association with one of football's most historic franchises and the opportunity to own naming rights to the premier open-air sports and entertainment venue in the world. The new stadium is a 68,500-seat stadium currently scheduled to open in time for the 2015 National Football League season.
"CAA will function as an integral extension of our sales team," said 49ers Chief Sales Officer John Vidalin. "We will rely heavily on their expertise to enhance our efforts on the Santa Clara stadium naming rights project. Their reputation as market makers will be invaluable to this process. Additionally, the strength and scope of their network capabilities is unequalled in the industry, and should prove to enhance our target reach."
The Santa Clara Stadium Authority entered into a Naming Rights Marketing Agreement with the 49ers to grant the exclusive rights to Forty Niners Stadium, LLC to market the right to designate the name of the Stadium ("Naming Rights").
"We are honored to be working with the San Francisco 49ers, an iconic NFL team with a passionate fan base in one of the most vibrant markets in the U.S., as they bring to market the naming rights for this very special stadium project," said Michael Levine, Co-Head, CAA Sports. "Placed in the heart of Silicon Valley, the epicenter of innovation, the new stadium will combine environmentally-friendly elements with state-of-the-art fan technologies, providing a unique platform for a marketer to align itself with this celebrated sports franchise and the City of Santa Clara."
CAA Sports' industry-leading national sales department is comprised of many of the most accomplished executives in sports, with experience ranging from professional teams and leagues to agencies and brand management. CAA Sports won the highly-coveted assignments to sell major, multi-year corporate partnerships for the new Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden's transformation, and has since closed a multitude of precedent-setting deals.
