Nothing goes better with baseball than a top-notch hot dog, so the new naming-rights deal for the home of the Buffalo Bisons (Class AAA; International League) makes so much sense: Sahlen Field is the new name as part of a 10-year agreement with Sahlen Packing Company.
The new deal comes about after Coca-Cola Bottling Company did not renew its ballpark naming-rights agreement for Coca-Cola Field when it expired after the 2018 season.
It’s the marriage of two family-owned companies. The 2019 season will be the Bisons’ 135th season of professional baseball in Buffalo, the last 35 of which have been under the ownership of Bob and Mindy Rich of Rich Products Corporation. Next year will be the milestone 150th year for the Sahlen Packing Company. Sahlen has been the official hot dog of the Bisons since 2012, and Sahlen Packing Company was founded in 1869 in Buffalo as a family business, expanding in recent years to 25 states.
Along with the naming of the Bisons home ballpark, this new agreement will include several signage and promotional elements.
“As we at Sahlen celebrate our 150th year of doing business in 2019, we couldn’t be more excited about expanding our relationship with the Bisons. Both brands have a rich history in Buffalo and we are looking forward to another great season,” said Joe E. Sahlen via press release.
“We are thrilled to expand our already great partnership with Sahlen’s. The Sahlen’s name is synonymous with high quality service and products and we couldn’t be happier to host our brand of family-friendly sports entertainment at Sahlen Field,” said Bob Rich Jr., president and owner of the Buffalo Bisons, via press release.
The Bisons’ ballpark has had multiple naming rights partners since opening in 1988, as reflected in previous names like Pilot Field, North AmeriCare Park, and Dunn Tire Park. Coca-Cola assumed the naming rights in December 2008 as part of a 10-year commitment.
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