Electronic equipment manufacturer Johnson Controls has signed on as the naming rights partner of an under-construction sports and entertainment village that will be part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the US city of Canton, Ohio.
Johnson Controls has partnered with Hall of Fame Village, a collaboration between the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Industrial Realty Group, on the venture.
Johnson Controls will serve as the official smart city partner of Hall of Fame Village. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed but it has been widely reported that Johnson Controls will pay a nine-figure fee over 18 years for the naming rights.
The village will include venues such as a virtual reality, state-of-the-art hall of fame experience, which Johnson Controls will take on naming rights to.
The company will also be the presenting sponsor for the annual celebration in Canton, Ohio each summer that will be known as the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls.
Johnson Controls’ products, services and solutions will be used within the village as part of the agreement.
“Johnson Controls and the Hall of Fame share strong values and a vision of improving others’ lives and making the world a better place,” Pro Football Hall of Fame president David Baker said.
“This historic agreement will ensure that the Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village will be the first ‘smart’ sports and entertainment city and will serve to inspire generations of fans as a showcase for state-of-the-art technology products and services to deliver world-class fan experiences.”
It is hoped the village, which is scheduled to open in 2019, will serve as a tourist destination for millions of visitors per year. It is projected to have an economic impact of $15.3bn (€14.4bn) for the local region in its first 25 years.
The project’s opening is scheduled to coincide with the National Football League’s 100th season and subsequent centennial celebration in 2020.