Introducing MAPFRE Stadium: Columbus Crew SC Reveals Historic Stadium Naming Rights Partnership With MAPFRE Insurance

COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Columbus Crew SC today announced that it has partnered with MAPFRE Insurance in a historic deal that will see Crew Stadium, the first soccer-specific stadium in the United States, now named MAPFRE Stadium. Built in 1999, Crew SC now takes the pitch for its 17^th season at MAPFRE Stadium and prepares for its historic 20^th season in Major League Soccer this year. In a multi-million dollar agreement, the largest partnership in club history, MAPFRE Stadium becomes the home of the Black & Gold. MAPFRE will also become the presenting sponsor of Crew SC's community program, Give Forward, as well as the club's Official Auto, Life and Home Insurance sponsor. Per club policy, additional details of the multi-year deal were not disclosed. (Note to media: MAPFRE Stadium is pronounced "MAH-fray Stadium")

"We are thrilled to be partnering with a world-class company like MAPFRE Insurance and thank them for their support of Crew SC and our efforts in Columbus," said Columbus Crew SC Investor-Operator and Chairman Anthony Precourt. "This agreement is a culmination of the thorough, thoughtful planning and hard work that we promised Columbus and our fans from the first day Precourt Sports Ventures purchased the team 19 months ago. Dynamic business partnerships like this are part of our strategy to be a winning organization. We expect MAPFRE Stadium to become an even greater place for our growing fan base to cheer on Columbus' original major league franchise for years to come."

The agreement with MAPFRE Insurance is the latest in a string of successes and investments from Precourt Sports Ventures since Anthony Precourt became the second Investor-Operator in Crew SC history on July 30, 2013. Ahead of the 2014 season, Precourt Sports Ventures made a multi-million dollar stadium infrastructure investment, including the construction of a brand new state-of-the-art scoreboard on the stadium's south side, the installation of two 42-foot-long LED ribbon displays on the upper deck fascia and the creation of Premier East seating. The club also expanded the lower concourses of the stadium and renovated the stadium locker room and Obetz training facility last offseason. In 2014, the Black & Gold returned to the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2011, setting MAPFRE Stadium attendance and sellout records along the way. With its rebrand a reality, Crew SC has also announced efforts to create a more authentically Columbus experience in MAPFRE Stadium.

"Establishing this partnership with Columbus Crew SC is a very proud moment for MAPFRE," said Jaime Tamayo, President and CEO of MAPFRE North America. "MAPFRE Stadium not only enhances the MAPFRE brand in the United States but also reinforces our commitment to the local Ohio market. At MAPFRE, we pride ourselves in being people who take care of people," which Mr. Tamayo said "is perfectly aligned with Crew SC's focus on community involvement and supporting the ideals of true sportsmanship."

MAPFRE Insurance is a global insurance leader serving more than 23 million customers in 47 countries, with global revenues in 2014 of approximately $35 billion. In the United States, MAPFRE Insurance began as The Commerce Group in 1972 before being acquired by MAPFRE in 2008. The Company is headquartered in Massachusetts and does business in 19 states across the nation, including Ohio where it maintains one of its regional offices.

The Black & Gold begin their 20th season on March 7 at Houston and return home to MAPFRE Stadium for the Opening Match on Saturday, March 14 against Toronto FC at 7:30 p.m. ET.

For more information on Columbus Crew SC, MAPFRE Insurance, MAPFRE Stadium and for a style guide on how to refer to all entities involved, please see the digital version of this release on www.ColumbusCrewSC.com.

Contact: Tim Miller (Crew SC), 614-447-4176 or Linda Johnson (MAPFRE Insurance), 508-949-4982

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SOURCE Columbus Crew SC