CAMDEN, N.J. – Campbell Soup Company (NYSE:CPB) and the Camden Riversharks have extended their stadium naming rights agreement for 10 more years to the end of 2020, with a company option to extend the agreement to 2030.
Campbell’s was born in Camden, home to the RCA Nipper. Indeed, while so many companies have bailed from their ailing city of birth, Campbell’s has stuck it out. We are glad that Campbell’s is still in Camden. Indeed, we might argue that the moral strength of the Cambpell’s brand is intimately connected to Camden, and both are stronger for it.
We don’t understand the whole bit about Campbell’s trying to tear down that neoclassical Sears store and threatening to move over it a few years ago; frankly Camden has little else but its people and its stock of historic buildings. And the 1991 demolition of its old plant seems senseless today as they missed out in millions in tax rehab credits. We wonder why anything gets torn down in Camden; there is so much bulldozed property there there is plenty of space for anything.
But back to the baseball.
Campbell will hold the naming rights of the baseball park and will continue to sell “V8” beverages, “Pace” salsa and “Pepperidge Farm” rolls and snacks at the park’s concession stands. Campbell also will receive 7,000 tickets per season—100 tickets per game—which it plans to donate to local community groups. The familiar 60-foot Campbell sign will remain in lights atop the stadium along with additional Campbell branding throughout the field.
Sean Connolly, President Campbell USA, said, “Campbell Soup Company is thrilled to extend its partnership with the Camden Riversharks. Baseball and ‘Campbell’s’ soup both hold a special place in American culture. In fact, they go together like, well, soup and a sandwich. We are proud to associate our company and brands with the fun and affordable family entertainment that the Riversharks provide thousands of families from across the Delaware Valley each season.”
“We couldn’t ask for a better partner than Campbell,” said Adam Lorber, General Manager of the Camden Riversharks.
Connolly and Lorber were joined for the announcement by Robert Zane, Vice President of Real Estate Operations for Campbell; Jerry Buckley, Chairman of the Campbell Soup Foundation; and Peter Kirk, Chairman of the Camden Riversharks. The group also was joined by local community organizations, along with the Campbell Kids and Finley and Blueper, the Riversharks mascots, to celebrate the news.
“Thanks to Campbell and the Riversharks, Camden children will have an opportunity to enjoy America’s favorite pastime right here in their hometown,” said Perez, President of the Cramer Hill Little League.
Campbell’s Field is one of the country’s finest minor league baseball facilities. The 6,400 seat stadium was honored as “Ballpark of the Year” in 2003 by Digitalballparks.com, and in 2004 by Baseball America. The stadium offers unbeatable views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and the Philadelphia skyline and is instantly recognizable by the 60-foot lighted, iconic, Campbell’s sign that is visible from the Pennsylvania side of the river and the Ben Franklin Bridge.
The Camden Riversharks play in the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. They will take on the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in their 2009 home opener, which is scheduled for 7:05 P.M. on Friday, May 1st. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.riversharks.com or call 1-866-SHARKS-9.