On September 3rd, 2024 Huntington Bank became the new stadium sponsor for the Cleveland Browns. This is pertinent for a couple reasons. The first of these is that it is a big step for Huntington Bank to reach a national audience as they are currently a “super-regional bank” (ClevelandBrowns.com, 2024). This move puts Huntington into the world of athletics more than they have ever been before. I am curious of what the aspirations of Huntington are as well as how this can impact the view of Huntington in the world of athletics.
As part of the new partnership, Huntington Bank, a super-regional bank headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, will also become the team’s official and exclusive banking partner. The partnership strengthens both organizations’ shared vision and long-standing commitment to the Cleveland community and broader region.
“The Cleveland Browns are iconic in American sports and a globally recognized brand,” said Steve Steinour, Huntington Bank chairman, president and CEO. “Huntington Bank is thrilled to create this partnership and make this investment in the Cleveland Browns and Northeast Ohio. This is also a pivotal moment for us as it gives us a high-profile platform to elevate our brand nationally.”
Like the Browns, Huntington has deep roots in Ohio, where it was founded in 1866. The naming of Huntington Bank Field makes the bank the anchor investor in the existing or new home of the Browns for the next 20 years. Through this partnership, NFL audiences in markets around the country will begin to see the reputation Huntington has built over the last 158 years.
“Whether in the existing stadium or a new one, the Browns’ commitment to Northeast Ohio will continue to spur significant economic growth and development for years to come, and we are excited to be a part of that future,” Steinour added.
“We are thrilled to reach a long-term partnership agreement with Ohio’s own Huntington Bank,” said Dee and Jimmy Haslam, Cleveland Browns Managing and Principal Partners. “Huntington Bank has a long-standing reputation of excellence and they continue to grow both regionally and nationally, while keeping their roots here in Ohio. Giving back to the community and a focus on education are two of the many attributes that bond our organizations, and we look forward to working with Huntington to make positive impacts in Northeast Ohio and beyond. We’re excited to call the home of the Cleveland Browns Huntington Bank Field.”
Ultimately, this partnership will extend beyond the Huntington Bank Field name as the Browns and Huntington intend to launch new and dynamic ways to strengthen communities and neighborhoods across Northeast Ohio (ClevelandBrowns.com, 2024).
Seeing that this partnership has given Huntington a possibility to “grow both regionally and nationally” I believe that this should spur Huntington to continue to innovate and continue to give “back to the community” and “focus on eduction” (ClevelandBrowns.com, 2024). Huntington has continued to stick to their roots in Ohio and I beleive that to be an admirable decision that demonstrates their loyalty to the community that they were birthed into. I’m curious to see if there are any practical ways in which this decision will lead Huntington to create more educational programs in the athletics world as well as in Ohio. How then can design continue to focus on community and allow new found resources to aide in these endeavors?
Source
ClevelandBrowns.com. (2024, September 3). Browns and Huntington Bank announce 20-year partnership that includes stadium naming rights. Browns’ stadium to be called Huntington Bank Field with announcement of 20-year partnership. https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-and-huntington-bank-announce-20-year-partnership-that-includes-stadium-naming-rights
