After a 21-year run, the home of the Steelers will no longer be named Heinz Field.
The team announced Monday a new naming rights deal that will immediately rename their North Shore home to Acrisure Stadium, starting with the 2022 season. The deal with Acrisure is worth $150 million over 15 years, more than tripling the initial rights deal with Heinz when the stadium opened in 2001.
"We are excited to partner with Acrisure for the naming rights to our stadium," said Art Rooney II in a press release. "Acrisure provided us with an opportunity to ensure our stadium continues to be a valuable asset for our fans as well as keeping up with the market value of NFL stadiums. We are very appreciative to partner with Greg Williams and his company, and we look forward to a long, beneficial relationship for years to come."
Acrisure is a Michigan-based fintech company with ties to Steelers minority owner Thomas Tull. The company acquired the insurance practice of artificial intelligence leader Tulco LLC, where Tull is the chairman and CEO. That transaction resulted in Tulco becoming a "significant" minority owner in Acrisure.
The original 20-year, $57-million rights deal with Heinz was extended by one year to cover the 2021 season. The Steelers and Kraft-Heinz Co. attempted to hammer out a new deal over the past several months. Obviously those negotiations hit a dead end.
However, in light of the naming rights being awarded to Acrisure, Heinz announced its partnership with the Steelers will continue:
The name may be changing, but this is not goodbye. Pittsburgh will always be home for Heinz! Our partnership continues and we’re excited for the future and looking forward to next season. Until then, share your #HeinzFieldHighlights with us. pic.twitter.com/3Cq8DC2F1L
— H.J. Heinz & Co. (@HeinzTweets) July 11, 2022
As of Monday morning, the stadium still sported the Heinz Field logos and the iconic ketchup bottles on the south end zone scoreboard. In Tuesday's press conference, Mr. Rooney said the stadium will be updated with the Acrisure logos by the start of the 2022 season.
I took a walk around the stadium this morning, and the Heinz Field logos and ketchup bottles were still in place.
— Chris Halicke (@ChrisHalicke) July 11, 2022
Catch a final glimpse … pic.twitter.com/QkTIbjtG9L