Mercedes-Benz USA inked a 10-year agreement with the Louisiana Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints, that provides official naming rights among other sponsorship benefits including being named the Official and Exclusive vehicle of the NFL’s Saints. The newly named Mercedes-Benz Superdome is playing host to several upcoming premier events including 2012 Men’s Final Four and BCS Championship Game in addition to the 2013 Super Bowl.
“The joining of the Mercedes-Benz brand with the world-class Saints organization and the Superdome, an iconic destination which has undergone an incredible transformation over the past six years, is a significant moment for us, the City of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana,” said Ernst Lieb, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA. “Our commitment over the next decade is to the Saints fans, team, and this famous community as it flourishes beyond anyone’s expectations.”
This is the first naming rights deal in the U.S. for the luxury car maker and also for the legendary New Orleans sports and exhibition stadium, which recently completed a six-year $336 million renovation project that is positioning the stadium as a premier destination for major events for years to come.
“I am thrilled to be able to announce a winning and long-term partnership between the Saints, Mercedes-Benz and now the Mercedes-Benz Superdome” said New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson. “The Mercedes-Benz brand represents the very best in its industry and we believe that is a perfect fit for this stadium, which as a result of the unprecedented and innovative renovation project recently completed is one of the world’s greatest sporting venues. We felt strongly it was essential that if we were to offer the name of our building to a company, it would be one that all of our fans and the State of Louisiana would be proud of. The investment being made by a premier international brand who believes in “the best or nothing”, is a tremendous compliment to all of those who worked so hard to make the stadium what it is today.”
The undisclosed cost of the 10-year agreement has many benefits and opportunities for Mercedes-Benz including branding and signage throughout and nearby the newly named Mercedes-Benz Superdome. In addition, the Saints print and online publications will feature Mercedes-Benz content and advertising and the Company will have access to Saints coaches and players for special events and promotions. Mercedes-Benz plans to leverage its access to many of the events to create unique programs such as customer and fan appreciation activities.
“This is a great, great partnership,” said Governor Bobby Jindal. “I know for many years there have been attempts to sell this sponsorship, and I think the restructured deal and the new Superdome are two of the reasons this is actually happening. So I think this is great for the Saints and great for the state.”
According to the Ultimate Standing poll by ESPN Magazine in 2010, the New Orleans Saints ranked number one among all major league sports team franchises, which is based on the team that gives back to the fans in exchange for all the time, money and emotion the fans invest in them. The Superdome is home to a record 6 Superbowls, including Super Bowl XII (1978), XV (1981), XX (1986), XXIV (1990), XXXI (1997), XXXVI (2002), plus another, XLVII, coming in 2013.
