Centene Inks Rights Deal For St. Louis City SC’s $461M Stadium

Centene Corp. entered a 15-year naming rights deal for St. Louis City SC’s new $461 million venue — now called Centene Stadium.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but the deal could bring in revenue of $3 million to $5 million annually, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

The St. Louis-based healthcare provider’s agreement expands on its relationship with the city.

• Centene will become the founding partner of the team.
• The entities will help develop health and wellness community programming in the region.
• The company holds naming rights to the NHL’s St. Louis Blues’ Centene Community Ice Center as part of a 10-year deal that started in 2019. At the time of the announcement, it was believed the facility would deliver a $20 million economic impact each year.

The 22,500-person venue will open later this summer ahead of the team’s debut in 2023.

Mega MLS Money

The league has seen a slew of interest in the past few years and is reportedly eyeing a $300 million annual media rights deal — more than three times its previous one. Last year, the San Jose Earthquakes confirmed it entered a 10-year, $20 million naming rights deal with PayPal.

MLS will add its 28th team — Charlotte FC — this year, and is eyeing Las Vegas as the home of its 30th.