After 21 years as Heinz Field, the home of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers will be renamed Acrisure Stadium under terms of a 15-year naming rights deal announced July 11. Financial terms of the deal were not released.
Much like was the case when retirement plan recordkeeper Empower secured the naming rights to the home stadium of the Denver Broncos in 2020, the news left many football fans scrambling to figure out just what is Acrisure is, and why a company largely under the national radar in terms of consumer awareness would pursue a type of sponsorship usually reserved for household names.
Acrisure is a fintech company which operates a top 10 global insurance broker. The company provides a broad array of AI-driven solutions across insurance, real estate services, cyber services, asset management and more to millions of clients. Notably, Acrisure has grown from $38 million in revenue to more than $3.8 billion in just over eight years and has rapidly expanded its global footprint.
“We are excited to partner with Acrisure for the naming rights to our stadium,” said Steelers President Art Rooney II. “Acrisure provided us with an opportunity to ensure our stadium continues to be a valuable asset for our fans as well as keeping up with the market value of NFL stadiums. We are very appreciative to partner with Greg Williams and his company, and we look forward to a long, beneficial relationship for years to come.”
“The Pittsburgh Steelers are an institution in American sports and a globally recognized brand. Partnering with the Steelers is a tremendous honor,” said Greg Williams, Acrisure Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO. “Through Acrisure Stadium, we will increase awareness of the extraordinary advantage Acrisure brings our clients while conveying our strong sense of community. Relatedly, we are eager to invest in the Pittsburgh community and broader region as we chart our course to an unforgettable first season. This relationship truly embodies and aligns two organizations that have high standards and are determined to achieve great things.”
Acrisure will immediately take over the naming rights to the Steelers’ North Shore stadium, starting with the 2022 season. The stadium had been named Heinz Field since it opened in 2001.
Williams is the Co-Founder of Acrisure and a lifelong Steelers fan. He’s guided Acrisure using a unique business model, a “no-limits culture” and an intense commitment to technology. Under this direction, Acrisure has become the fastest growing insurance broker in history with a strategy centered on combining the best of human and artificial intelligence. Acrisure is a global company, headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with operations in 14 countries and over 14,000 employees.
The partnership between the Steelers and Acrisure will enable the franchise to continue to invest in stadium amenities and aesthetics, including new stadium identification for the 2022 season. The partnership also includes community initiatives aimed at providing a deep connection for Acrisure in the Pittsburgh community and brand recognition both locally and nationally to support Acrisure’s growth.
I'm still calling it Heinz.