The Washington Nationals have reportedly sought to sell the naming rights to Nationals Park, but have thus far been unable to reach an agreement.
Nationals Park originally opened in 2008, and has never had a corporate naming rights partner in its history. Reports of the team seeking an agreement have surfaced at various points in the past, but the club has still not completed a deal.
That has been despite negotiations with several parties, including Exelon. The energy company was reportedly engaged in discussions with the team over an agreement, but negotiations have not lead to a sale of the naming rights. While the Nationals are reportedly not close to obtaining a naming rights partner, the team is still expected to continue their pursuit. More from The Washington Post:
The Nationals have pursued other external revenue streams to bolster their capital. Before the 2016 season, the organization made clear its intentions to market the naming rights to Nationals Park. Despite extensive talks with several potential bidders — including local energy company Exelon, which sponsored the late-night Metro service during this year’s playoffs — they are not near a deal for those rights. Those talks with Exelon have since subsided, according to people familiar with the situation, and do not seem likely to yield a deal.
So while the Nationals remain financially healthy and competitive in their payroll, they could be healthier and have more money to spend. They will not get their television rights any time soon. Naming-rights revenue seems ready for an imminent arrival on South Capitol Street. More money will be coming at some time in the future, but for now, the Nationals seem to be rolling their stone hopefully up the mountain on a variety of fronts, only to have it slide back their way with no money in tow.
As noted, Nationals Park is part of a limited group of active Major League Baseball ballparks that are not tied to naming rights agreements. At least one of those other facilities could be in play for a corporate partner, though, as the new owners of the Miami Marlins are expected to pursue a sale of naming rights for Marlins Park.