Colts land Meijer as stadium sponsor

The Colts announced another sponsorship deal for Lucas Oil Stadium – this time with retail chain Meijer.

Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Meijer has signed as a founding partner for the new stadium, set to open for the beginning of next season. The announcement was scheduled for a press conference at the team’s 56th Street training complex shortly after noon today.

“Meijer has been active in the Indianapolis community and a partner with the Colts for many years, so we’re delighted to evolve our partnership with such an upstanding company,” said Tom Zupancic, Colts senior vice president of sales and marketing.

The agreement includes various elements, including a themed area in the northwest corner of Lucas Oil Stadium, as well as other in-stadium signage and advertising opportunities.

Though terms of the deal were not disclosed, Colts officials told the IBJ in September they were seeking about $750,000 per year for naming rights sponsorships of the new 63,000-seat stadium’s four interior corners.

As part of the deal, Meijer also will have opportunities to network with the Colts in community-related events and programs.

The four corner sponsorships are part of a plan to raise about $10 million annually by allowing companies to sponsor and theme 12 distinct parts of the $675 million stadium. The Colts are among the first teams to allow sponsors to help decorate a stadium as it is being constructed.

Meijer has nine stores in central Indiana and 24 statewide. It operates 181 stores throughout Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio and Kentucky.

“We listen to our customers, and our customers love the Colts, so taking advantage of this opportunity to broaden our relationship with the team was a very logical step for us,” said Mike Frattini, market director for Meijer’s Indianapolis market.