Giants-Oracle Strike Deal To Rename Ballpark

REDWOOD CITY, CA -- It's like going into spring training in Scottsdale with a clean slate and an open plate of possibilities.

The San Francisco Giants and Oracle formally announced Thursday the signing of a 20-year partnership that provides the Redwood City business software company with the naming rights to the ballpark through 2038.

AT&T Park will now be called Oracle Park -- a maneuver that connects the dots of the San Francisco Bay Area for the software giant from Redwood City to San Jose and Santa Clara to Pleasanton. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but the Nightly Business Report estimated the transaction as amounting to more than $300 million.

“We are thrilled to welcome Oracle as our naming rights partner as we move into our next decade here in China Basin,” Giants President Larry Baer said, adding his pride in what the Giants organization has hosted under the AT&T wing. Four World Series in this century, along with the 2007 All-Star Game, mark a list of achievements.

AT&T was undergoing a corporate reorganization that prompted it to back out of the ballpark.

The plate was open to the right player.

For the last 15 years, Oracle sponsored the Giants Community Spotlight, an in-game scoreboard feature that highlights the Giants' nonprofit efforts.

Then, there's a connection with Oracle's founder -- Larry Ellison, who's now serving on a board to help out his friend, another giant in the tech world, Elon Musk, come up with Tesla strategies. The Giants served up a spectator extravaganza for viewing World Cup when it came to town and Oracle's Team Ellison won for the United States.

Its long-standing teamwork expected to continue.

The baseball team, sometimes referred to as a dynasty for winning three World Series championships in five years, had interest from many companies in this opportunity that essentially bumps the telecom firm's shingle off the Embarcadero. The stadium opened as PacBell Park.

Baer said Oracle "was a perfect fit because of its deep roots in the Bay Area, its position as a global leader in technology and innovation and its shared commitment to community values of diversity and inclusion, sustainability, education and philanthropy."

The baseball guru wasn't the only one jazzed by the news.

When word got out at the Redwood Shores office, one staffer at the company said the office came alive with excitement because there are many fans who follow the Giants on the Peninsula.

No one was probably more excited among the 130,000 employees than the top dog.

“We are extremely proud that one of the best and most storied ballparks in America will now be called Oracle Park. The Giants have always been on the forefront of bringing innovative experiences to baseball, and we are excited to continue that tradition,” Oracle Chief Executive Officer Mark Hurd said. “Together we will create an incredible fan experience and develop programs to engage and impact the community in new ways.”

Look for a greater tech presence at the ballpark.

A new state-of-the-art scoreboard and signs are anticipated, among other upgrades designed to enhance the experience. Another hint -- hospitality venues will be reviewed.

It could be said that Oracle is considered a dynasty player.

"They already have a branding in the Bay Area. They're trying to capitalize on the (Golden State) Warriors moving in, and they saw a branding opportunity to keep their name front and center for sports enthusiasts here," said Matt Mahood, Silicon Valley Organization president, in referring to the national basketball team moving its stadium across the bay.

In tracking the business dealings that affect his Valley and the overall tech arena, Mahood commended the partnership as an ideal strategy to maintain a continuing image with facilities covering all four corners of the bay.

"This is with the hope of the Giants having another winning season," he said.

--Images via Sue Wood, Patch