Steelers Owner Clairifies Possible Heinz Field Name Change

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Steelers have called Heinz Field home since the stadium opened in 2001. But could the venerable facility have a new name when the team takes the field this fall?

Heinz signed a 20-year naming rights deal with the Steelers in 2001 that paid $57 million - a number associated with the famed Heinz 57 sauce. That amounted to $2.85 million annually, a paltry sum compared to today's lucrative naming rights agreements.

The Steelers and Kraft Heinz last year agreed to a one-year extension. Team owner Art Rooney II told WPXI-TV's Jenna Harner this week that he is optimistic a new deal with the Pittsburgh-based company will be reached.

The $2.85 million annually the Steelers received under the original deal is a paltry sum compared to today's lucrative naming rights agreements. For the new stadium that is home to the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers, Sofi paid an estimated $600 million for a 20-year naming rights agreement - a payment of $30 million annually.

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