New sponsor for Cary soccer stadium, home of the Courage :: WRALSportsFan.com
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New sponsor for Cary soccer stadium, home of the Courage :: WRALSportsFan.com

Posted on by Matthew Reynolds

By Brian Murphy, WRAL

The stadium home of the NC Courage will have a new name next season: First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.

First Horizon Bank purchased the naming rights to the Cary facility, which is also home to North Carolina FC and hosted the men’s and women’s NCAA College Cup earlier this month and the $1-million The Soccer Tournament this summer.

The entire park complex will still be known as WakeMed Soccer Park.

The deal is for multiple years, but terms were not disclosed. It goes into effect for the 2025 NWSL season.

Triangle Business Journal first reported the agreement.

First Horizon Bank became the official bank of the Courage in September.

“This stadium represents more than just a name; it’s a reflection of our shared commitment to community, growth and excellence – particularly in support of women’s sports,” Laura Bunn, the bank’s mid-Atlantic regional president, said in a statement.

First Horizon Bank also owns the naming rights to the former Greensboro Coliseum, which is now known as the First Horizon Coliseum. First Horizon Bank is based in Memphis, Tennessee.

“Enhancing the soccer experience for our players, fans and staff is a massive piece of those efforts,” Courage President Francie Gottsegen said in a statement. “We’re pleased to see a swift desire to deepen our brand alignment and look forward to an even bigger partnership.”

It is not the first athletic complex in the area to get a new name.

Lenovo recently took over as the naming rights holder at the Raleigh arena that is home to the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes and the NC State men’s basketball program. That deal was for 10 years and $60 million.

NC State said it is exploring selling the naming rights to Carter-Finley Stadium, home of the Wolfpack’s football program.

Capitol Broadcasting Company owns a minority stake in the NC Courage. CBC owns WRAL.

Source: wralsportsfan.com