Ellis Park has gone to Coke
2008-06-29 19:33
Johannesburg - One of South Africa's most iconic stadiums - Ellis Park - has sold its name rights for a massive R45m to Coca Cola International and will be known in future as Coca Cola Park.
According to an article in the Afrikaans Sunday newspaper Sondag, the move, which is the first time in history that the stadium will receive a name change, was agreed last Wednesday in a four year deal that is likely to be announced this week.
The deal, which will see the venue of the 1995 World Cup final change its name, does not include the 2010 Soccer World Cup, but will allow the soft drink company to utilise the stadium for other events.
The newspaper reported that the contract had been negotiated for the past two years and that it was the biggest ever for naming rights for a stadium in South Africa. They further claim that it was more than the Blue Bulls, Cheetahs and Sharks received for the naming rights of their stadiums.
- SAPA