Wanted: A corporate sponsor to pay for the naming rights of the Coney Island stadium that the Brooklyn Cyclones call home.
The Cyclones and National Grid announced they have mutually decided to end the naming rights partnership associated with the team’s stadium, KeySpan Park. The ball park has been called KeySpan Stadium since its inception in 2001.
National Grid, an English-based energy company, bought and merged with Brooklyn-based KeySpan energy several years ago.
“KeySpan and National Grid enjoyed a great partnership with the Cyclones,” said National Grid Executive Vice President John Caroselli.
“We are grateful for the opportunities we had and the results we achieved, however, due to the fact that the KeySpan name no longer exists, it was an opportunity for both parties to discuss other options.”
The Cyclones, a Class A minor league team of the Mets, began in 2001 and its stadium was always called KeySpan.
It was the first professional team to call Brooklyn home since the Major Leagues Dodgers left following the 1957 season, and it has led all Class A minor league affiliates in attendance, having drawn nearly 2.5 million in its nine years.
“The Cyclones’ relationship with KeySpan and National Grid was a great one,” said Cyclones General Manager Steve Cohen.
“Together, we became synonymous with baseball’s return to Brooklyn, and our partnership was extremely productive, both on and off the field. We will be forever thankful for the partnership, and wish National Grid continued success,” he added.
Officials would not disclose what the naming rights deal for the stadium was worth, but the Cyclones expect to announce a new naming rights sponsor for the Coney Island ballpark in the near future.
One of National Grid’s U.S. headquarters remains in Downtown Brooklyn. The company delivers electricity to about 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island.
National Grid is also one of the potentially responsible parties that could be footing the bill to help clean the Gowanus Canal, if it is included in the federal Superfund program.
Through corporate genealogy, National Grid is linked to Brooklyn Union Gas, which operated three manufactured gas plants along canal’s edge. The plants polluted the soil with coal tars and other hazardous materials, which over time leeched into the 1.8-mile waterway.
KeySpan subsequently bought Brooklyn Union Gas.
-With Gary Buiso
