Baseball Grounds to become 121 Financial Ballpark
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville's longest tenured professional sports franchise has entered into an agreement to play in a stadium bearing the name of one of Jacksonville's longest continually-operating credit unions. The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and 121 Financial Credit Union (pronounced "One to One") have agreed to terms on a long-term naming rights agreement for the ballpark, pending Jacksonville City Council approval expected ahead of the 2020 season.
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp owner/CEO Ken Babby was joined by 121 Financial interim-CEO David Marovich along with Jacksonville mayor Lenny Curry to make the announcement that an agreement between the team and the credit union has been reached and legislation will be filed with the Jacksonville City Council to put final approval on the deal. In 2018, the Jumbo Shrimp entered into a long-term lease extension with the City, committing to continuing to provide great affordable family entertainment to the Jacksonville community for years to come.
121 Financial Credit Union has deep roots in Jacksonville dating back 85 years, having been founded as Florida Telco Credit Union in 1935. Relaunched in 2010 as 121 Financial Credit Union, the financial institution's headquarters are located in Jacksonville's Riverside neighborhood. That hometown connection and a focus on customer service along with a plan for growth was extremely appealing to the Jumbo Shrimp.
"121 Financial has been a great community partner and we are extremely excited about their heightened commitment to the Jumbo Shrimp in becoming the naming rights partner of our ballpark" said Babby. "Any partnership of this magnitude truly is monumental for both sides, and it was important to us throughout the process that we align ourselves with an organization whose values and goals parallel our own; and we believe 121 Financial and the Jumbo Shrimp are a perfect match. Great partners and long-term commitments like this allow us to reinvest in our great facility and most importantly, allows us to continue to provide the most affordable family entertainment option on the First Coast."
121 Financial has been a marketing partner of the baseball club for many years, ramping up their partnership in recent seasons in becoming the naming rights partner of the Crustacean Corner seating area, as well as sponsors of multiple giveaway nights, fireworks displays and Fan Appreciation Night. The naming rights agreement is the landmark marketing piece the credit union has been looking for, as they have an eye to future growth and increased market presence.
"This is much more than just putting up a sign with our name on a building" Marovich said. "Our board tasked our executive team to find something in our community that can really take our credit union to the next level as far as branding and recognition with a focus on growing our membership all while having a strong community element involved. The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, through their improved fan experiences and focus on family and affordable activities and their overall impact on our community, really goes hand-in-hand with our vision for 121 Financial and we couldn't be more excited and proud to enter into this arrangement and solidify ourselves as Jacksonville's Hometown Credit Union."
The agreement calls for the stadium to be named 121 Financial Ballpark for a 13-year term, expiring in 2033, the same year the current Jumbo Shrimp lease agreement with the City of Jacksonville runs through. In addition to the naming rights of the ballpark, 121 Financial becomes the official credit union of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp along with additional sponsorship and marketing elements. Specific financial details of the agreement were not made public.
The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville opened in 2003 as part of the Better Jacksonville Plan. The stadium is owned by the City of Jacksonville and managed by ASM Global with the Jumbo Shrimp as the primary tenants. The stadium capacity of over 11,000 is the largest among Double-A baseball parks and has additionally played host to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) baseball tournament, Southern League All-Star Games, collegiate games (including an annual matchup between Florida and Florida State), concerts, movie nights, and other special events totaling in 100 activations each calendar year. The playing surface of the stadium was designated as Bragan Field, by act of Jacksonville City Council, in 2012 to honor the legacy of the legendary Jacksonville baseball family who were long-time operators of the baseball franchise and instrumental in the construction and opening of the ballpark. The naming rights agreement specifically ensures that the playing surface will continue to be referred to as Bragan Field.
"The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are deeply committed to Jacksonville and we are thrilled to see that continue at 121 Financial Ballpark," said Mayor Curry. "Baseball has a long and storied tradition in our city, and that story continues with the Jumbo Shrimp providing great family fun at a great price and in a fun environment."
Fast Forward Sports Group, LLC, led by Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp owner Ken Babby, took ownership of the Double-A Southern League franchise following the 2015 season. The club negotiated a lease extension with the City of Jacksonville in 2018 to guarantee the club play at the ballpark through the 2033 season. The renegotiated lease, which includes a higher annual rent payment to the City of Jacksonville than the original lease, also gave the club the ability to sell stadium naming rights and use revenues from the sale to be used for renovations, improvements, enhancements, maintenance and repairs and upkeep to the ballpark. In addition to seeing record numbers through the turnstiles, the Jumbo Shrimp have shown a commitment to an improved fan experience at the ballpark, having reinvested nearly $3 million in private funds for ballpark improvements in the four years of operating the team and serving as primary tenant.
UP NEXT: The Jumbo Shrimp's 2020 Home Opening Day is Wednesday, April 15 against the Biloxi Shuckers at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Season tickets, mini plans and group outings are on sale now. Visit www.jaxshrimp.com or call 904-358-2846 to secure yours today.
ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offer affordable family fun at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Their inaugural season garnered the Southern League's Don Mincher Organization of the Year, Promotional Trophy and Jimmy Bragan Executive of the Year, won by General Manager Harold Craw. The club added its second Promotional Trophy in three years following the 2019 season. To experience the excitement with the terrific value of ticket and group options, call the Jumbo Shrimp at (904) 358-2846 or visit www.jaxshrimp.com.
ABOUT 121 FINANCIAL CREDIT UNION: 121 Financial Credit Union (pronounced "One to One") provides personalized banking and financial services to its more than 45,000 members throughout the Jacksonville and North Florida region. Since its founding 1935 as Florida Telco, the credit union has worked to be a trusted partner to the community with personalized solutions for every stage of life. 121 Financial offers a range of products for both consumers and businesses and specializes in deposit accounts and loans, including mortgages. For more information or to become a member, visit https://121fcu.org.