The Daytona Tortugas announced Sept. 21 that they are pursuing a naming rights partner for the playing field or a presenting sponsor for Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach as the venue nears completion of a $40 million renovation.
Any future partnership would complement, rather than replace, the Jackie Robinson Ballpark name. Potential structures include “[Partner Name] Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark” and “Jackie Robinson Ballpark Presented by [Partner Name].” Under either format, Jackie Robinson’s name would remain part of the venue’s official identity.
Jim Jaworski, president and general manager of the Daytona Tortugas, said the organization is seeking a strategic partner that understands the ballpark’s importance and is prepared to invest in its future.
“Jackie Robinson Ballpark is one of the most historically significant venues in all of sports, and preserving Jackie’s name and legacy is non-negotiable,” Jaworski said. “This opportunity is about finding a strategic partner that understands the importance of this ballpark and wants to invest in its future while helping us celebrate the history, community and values it represents.”
Renovation Adds Player and Fan Amenities
The multi-phase redevelopment includes the AdventHealth Training Center, an MLB-compliant player-development facility with upgraded clubhouses, recovery areas, training spaces and indoor hitting facilities. The Daytona Tortugas are the Single-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play their home games at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
The renovation also added the Daytona Beach Club Presented by Progressive Medical Research. The hospitality space includes approximately 3,000 square feet of climate-controlled indoor space and 102 outdoor seats, creating a setting for Tortugas games as well as meetings, celebrations, corporate events and community gatherings.
“This ballpark is entering an exciting new chapter,” Jaworski said. “The renovations have created a dramatically improved experience for our fans, players, partners and community while preserving the history and character that make this venue irreplaceable. We believe this is the ideal time to welcome a major partner that wants to be part of the ballpark’s future.”
Jackie Robinson Ballpark’s Historic Significance
Jackie Robinson played at the ballpark during spring training on March 17, 1946, breaking Major League Baseball’s color barrier. Jackie Robinson Ballpark is the oldest ballpark still used in Minor League Baseball.
The venue sits on the Florida Black Heritage Trail and was designated a National Commemorative Site in 2024. It also is under consideration by the Department of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark.
Partnership Would Reach Beyond Tortugas Games
The Daytona Tortugas host 66 regular-season home games annually at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The venue welcomes more than 100,000 fans each season, in addition to visitors attending Bethune-Cookman University baseball, community events, nonprofit programs and private functions.
That activity gives a potential partner a connection to the ballpark’s baseball schedule and its broader role in the Daytona Beach community. The organization said it is seeking a community partner that will help honor the venue’s history while supporting its future.
“We are looking for a true community partner—an organization that recognizes what Jackie Robinson Ballpark means to Daytona Beach and wants to help us honor its past while building an even stronger future,” Jaworski said.
FSB Take
The Daytona Tortugas are pursuing new commercial support without changing the identity of Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The proposed partnership would preserve Jackie Robinson’s name while connecting a sponsor to a renovated venue that serves the Tortugas, Bethune-Cookman University baseball and the wider Daytona Beach community.
Source: Original report