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The Portland Timbers today announced the change in stadium sponsorship from Jeld-Wen Windows & Doors to Providence Health & Services. The new stadium name will be Providence Park as part of a 15-year agreement that further ties the local hospital and health services provider to the Timbers and Portland Thorns, for whom Providence is already the shirt sponsor. Additionally, the agreement will usher back in Oregon's Special Olympics, which has been dormant since 2008 due to the economic downturn.
Providence, which is Oregon's largest private employer, has had its Sports Care Center attached to the stadium in the southwest corner since the redevelopment in 2011. Sponsoring the Thorns from its debut season of 2013, the health services provider now bumps up its investment in soccer, sports and community in the Portland area.
Though the terms of the deal have not been disclosed, a fifteen-year deal surpasses even the twelve-year deal Jeld-Wen signed in March 2011 to be the inaugural MLS stadium sponsor. Though they are no longer the naming rights partner with the Timbers and Thorns, Jeld-Wen will remain a key financial partner with the two clubs. Should Providence Park remain the stadium name through the entirety of the current contract, the teams will not have a newly named home until 2029.
Merritt Paulson, Providence CEO Dave Underriner and cardiologist Dr. James Beckerman made the announcement today at the stadium with the help of Timbers COO Mike Golub. As of today, Jeld-Wen signage remains but that could be replaced by the time the Timbers host San Jose Earthquakes as part of the Rose City Invitational on February 23.
