HOUSTON – The Houston Astros’ home will soon get a new name after a new business partnership.
According to a news release, the new deal is with Daikin Comfort Technologies North America Inc., a subsidiary of Daikin Industries Ltd., which is based in Japan and is a leading air conditioning company.
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Effective Jan. 1, 2025, Minute Maid Park will be renamed Daikin Park under an agreement through the 2039 season, the team announced Monday.
Minute Maid will remain an Astros partner through 2029, the team said.
Aside from naming rights though, the agreement includes other partnership benefits and giving back to the Greater Houston community through educational programming and youth sports development in underserved communities.
“Daikin is a well-known brand all over the world and enjoys a reputation for innovative quality products and outstanding customer service,” Satoru Akama, President and Chief Executive Officer, Daikin Comfort Technologies North America Inc. said in a news release. “We are thrilled to partner with the Houston Astros in building a premier position based on our shared values of excellence, in both sports and community leadership.”
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“We are excited to be partnering with Daikin for our ballpark’s naming rights,” Jim Crane, Owner and Chairman of the Houston Astros added in a statement. “Daikin is an international company that proudly calls the Greater Houston area its North American home. The Houston Astros and Daikin share the same values, a commitment to excellence and a desire to give back to our local community. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this ballpark in 2025, I am proud to have Daikin alongside us to create even more special memories for our fans now and in the future.”
This isn’t the first time the affectionately nicknamed “Juice Box” has had its name changed.
The stadium initially opened as Enron Field in 2000 as part of a 30-year, $100 million agreement. However, the name was removed in March 2002 following Enron Corp.‘s bankruptcy filing and the ballpark briefly became Astros Field.
It was then renamed Minute Maid Park in June 2002 as part of a deal with Minute Maid Co., a Houston-based subsidiary of Coca-Cola Co. Then-Astros owner Drayton McLane said at the time the agreement was for 28 years and for more than $100 million.
Daikin has invested more than $1 billion in the Houston area, according to the news release,
The Associated Press contributed to this report.