Subject to approval by the Jacksonville City Council, 121 Financial Ballpark will be known as VyStar Ballpark.
The naming rights to the city-owned baseball facility are part of VyStar Credit Union’s merger agreement with 121 Financial Credit Union and will run through 2040, according to a Dec. 5 news release from the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
“VyStar Credit Union has been a long-standing, excellent community partner, and we are extraordinarily excited about their commitment to the Jumbo Shrimp in becoming the naming rights partner to our ballpark,” Jumbo Shrimp owner and CEO Ken Babby said in the release.
“Long-term partners and commitments like this one continue to allow the Jumbo Shrimp and Fast Forward Sports Group to reinvest in VyStar Ballpark, and most importantly, continue to provide the most affordable family entertainment option in Northeast Florida.”
VyStar announced March it completed its merger agreement with 121 Financial.
In addition to the naming rights of the ballpark, VyStar becomes the official credit union of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp along with additional sponsorship and marketing elements.
VyStar has been a marketing partner of the Jumbo Shrimp, sponsoring community giveaway nights, firework displays and celebrations. VyStar also provides discounts and special offers through its member perks programs.
“We are proud to support such an important institution that is part of so many family traditions. This partnership also reflects our commitment to helping build a vibrant downtown with affordable family fun where residents and visitors of all ages can create memorable experiences, and there is no better example of that than the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp,” VyStar President and CEO Brian Wolfburg said in the release.
VyStar Ballpark is undergoing upgrades related to Project Next, the club’s plan for the $31.8 million publicly funded renovation. It is the first major renovation to the facility since its opening in 2003.
The team said while aiming to meet Major League Baseball requirements, Project Next already has installed a new video board nearly 20% larger in size, new ribbon boards and new concourse fans.
The long-term vision of the project includes the creation of an enhanced club space behind home plate and a new front porch and center field plaza.
In right field, Project Next plans a multilevel building making the Jumbo Shrimp souvenir store accessible on the street level, and on the concourse level, a space that will be a venue for banquets and meetings.
Originally named The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, the facility opened in 2003 as part of the Better Jacksonville Plan. The stadium is owned by the city and managed by ASM Global with the Jumbo Shrimp as the primary tenants.
The playing surface of the stadium was designated as Bragan Field, by act of Jacksonville City Council, in 2012 to honor the legacy of the legendary Jacksonville baseball family who were long-time operators of the minor league baseball franchise and instrumental in the construction and opening of the ballpark.
The naming rights agreement specifically ensures that the playing surface will continue to be referred to as Bragan Field.
In 2021, the Jumbo Shrimp and city agreed to terms on a 10-year lease extension to keep the team at the ballpark through March 2043.
The Jumbo Shrimp home opener for the 2025 season is scheduled for April 1, when Jacksonville hosts the Worcester Red Sox at VyStar Ballpark.