US financial services corporation PNC Bank has entered into a multi-year partnership with NFL American football franchise the Chicago Bears.
Under the agreement, PNC Bank will replace Chicago-based financial institution Chase as the team’s official and exclusive banking partner, starting from the 2015 season.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the Chicago Business Journal said the contract is believed to run for as many as 10 years and could be worth as much as $25m (€23.2m).
PNC will provide the franchise with its banking and investment services and plans to launch a Bears affinity card in 2016 to offer fans discounts and benefits.
The deal will also include the first-ever naming rights agreement in the team’s history, with various facilities at the Bears’ Soldier Field home stadium set to feature the PNC Bank name.
PNC’s in-stadium presence will also be strengthened with the placement of ATMs and signage, while the corporation will receive integration across the Bears’ website and its mobile and tablet applications.
PNC will also become a presenting sponsor of the Bears Care Gala initiative and serve as an associate sponsor of the various marquee Bears events. PNC will support various other community initiatives and become the headline sponsor of Spanish-language radio game broadcasts.
The Bears will be the third NFL franchise to partner with PNC, with the corporation already having deals in place with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns.