The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers will open the 2013 Midwest League season in just 79 days, and when they do they'll be playing in a freshly renamed facility. Today the Rattlers announced a new naming rights agreement with the Neuroscience Group, meaning home ballpark for the Brewers' low-A affiliate will now be known as Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.
The agreement spans ten years, but financial terms are undisclosed. The team had previously partnered with Time Warner Cable, who ended the agreement in November. Neuroscience Group was the first company the Timber Rattlers approached to discuss a possible agreement.
"They're just a great group of people. They're community minded, and just excited about this partnership," Timber Rattlers President Rob Zerjav said. "We've had a really nice relationship with Neuroscience group for the past eight years, and we're really excited to take it to another level here at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium."
"We were approached by the Timber Rattlers folks about the possibility of naming rights for the field, discussed it rather quickly with colleagues and it was unanimous," Dr. Philip Yazbak, president of Neuroscience Group, said. "We as an organization have been out here for many years, have done a number of corporate outings here and have individual tickets that we've spread out amongst our employees. It's an enjoyable evening for all those who get out here."
Despite having to get approval from both Minor League Baseball and the Midwest League, the Timber Rattlers had a contract signed with their new naming rights partner less than three months after the position came open.
"Hopefully it says a lot about what we do and what we mean to the community. I think it says a lot about the folks who work here and the product we put out there," Zerjav said.
Ten years is a long time in the sports world, but Yazbak is excited for the possibilities.
We look forward to a long and productive relationship with the Timber Rattlers," Yazbak said. "It's difficult to imagine today on a snowy January day, but baseball will be here soon enough and we very much look forward to that."
The Timber Rattlers' agreement with Time Warner Cable to televise games will continue uninterrupted. The team will have 10 games on Time Warner Sports Channel this season and as many as 30 more on My New 32.