New York Mets sign naming-rights partner for spring training base

Commerce technology company First Data has expanded its partnership with the New York Mets to take on naming rights to the Major League Baseball franchise’s spring training base.

The 10-year deal will rename the 7,000-capacity Tradition Field in Port St Lucie, Florida as First Data Field.

The agreement builds on an existing relationship between the Mets and First Data, which saw the company sponsor the team’s ‘Veteran of the Game’ initiative last year.

First Data Field will host 18 spring training games in 2017, the first of which will see the Mets take on the Washington Nationals tomorrow (Saturday).

The Mets’ previous naming-rights agreement for the base, with Tradition Landing Company, expired last year.

In 2016, First Data launched its sports and entertainment business, providing technology solutions for stadiums and arenas around the country through First Data’s Clover platform.

In November, the St. Lucie County Commissioners unanimously approved a new Facilities Use Agreement with the Mets to provide renovations to First Data Field that will keep the Mets in Port St. Lucie for the next 25 years.