From 2001 to 2021, the Pittsburgh Steelers' home stadium and host to numerous celebrations and heartbreaks was known as Heinz Field. The organization held a 122-45-2 record in the regular season during the 20 years that the ketchup bottles hung high above the seats and attached to the scoreboard in the open end zone paired with an 8-6 mark in the postseason.
The exterior of former Heinz Field, now known as Acrisure Stadium. CREDIT | Photo Credit: STEEELERS.COM
Art Rooney II announced a 15-year deal with Michigan-based insurance brokerage firm, Acrisure back in July. Fans were not thrilled with the change due to the plethora of memories that were made in Pittsburgh when the playing surface was named due to a partnership with Kraft Heinz.
Steelers owner, Art Rooney II roams the sidelines prior to a 2022 preseason game at Acrisure Stadium. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
While it won't give fans the same joy that the previous name and large fake bottles of a popular condiment did, the organization and Kraft Heinz corporation finalized a deal in September to continue a partnership and that became official to a spectator's eye when a new addition became visible outside of Acrisure Stadium.
Gate C features the familiar Heinz name, one that had been synonymous with the Steelers’ home for 21 years before Acrisure took over this season. https://t.co/2ZTRDQBHxD
— The Patriot-News (@PatriotNews) November 22, 2022
On the west side of the stadium, close to the Allegheny light rail transit station, there are now three small signs in circular shapes representing Kraft Heinz according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Kraft Heinz co. and the Pittsburgh Steelers officially have begun a new partnership and the logo of the popular food giant currently is displayed in three spots on the west side of Acrisure Stadium. | Photo Credit: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
While the small addition to the outside of the facility will not appease fans as much as the name change upset them, it still will provide a small amount of positive nostalgia for those who attend games and enter on the west side of the stadium. The agreement between the franchise and Kraft Heinz is allegedly five years in length so fans will have their favorite sponsor around for a little bit longer.
Are you happy that Kraft Heinz and the Steelers agreed to a new agreement and are now displaying the company's branding outside of Gate C at the newly named Acrisure Stadium? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation