Possible sponsors for new Washington Football Team stadium

The Washington Football Team is likely to announce the location of a new stadium during the upcoming offseason.  A new major sponsor announcement is years away, but there are some clues as to which companies could step forward.

The Washington Football Team will be announcing a new name and identity (possibly with a mascot) on February 2 and the focus will then shift to a new stadium location.  The new home could be chosen in the coming months as the organization continues a major facelift that began in early 2020.  The construction will need to begin soon.  The lease for FedEx Field expires in 2027 and while Washington is not facing a critical deadline, the plans need to move in a decisively forward direction in the coming months.

When the new location is chosen and construction begins, the race will be on to find the primary stadium sponsor.  Since November 1999, transportation and e-commerce giant FedEx has held the naming rights to the Landover stadium and it could continue that relationship beyond 2027, but it is unknown if the Memphis-based company is willing to do so.  However, the Washington Football Team will be moving to a new home for the 2026-27 season.

Today, we will take a look at potential sponsors for the new stadium and examine which companies could be a good fit for the Burgundy and Gold.  There are many businesses that could fill the sponsorship needs of a new stadium, but we will focus on twenty-five such companies today and let you know why any of them could be a good fit.  Let’s take a look!

Numbers 25-21

The pharmaceutical industry has been at the forefront in recent years as healthcare has become a hot-button issue for politicians and citizens of the world.  For two years, a relentless pandemic continues to plague our planet and the medical industry is at the heart of this monumental challenge.  Three companies that could serve as solid sponsors for the new stadium include Merck, AstraZeneca, and Pfizer.

25 – Merck

Merck is the largest pharmaceutical company in the world and was established in Germany way back in 1668.  It is based in Kenilworth, NJ today and typically produces $9 billion in income each year.

24 – AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a British-Swedish company that is based in Cambridge, England and the USA headquarters is located in Wilmington, DE.  With an annual income of more than $5 billion per year, this medical giant could be a solid stadium sponsor.

23 – Pfizer

New York City’s Pfizer was founded in 1849 and is still headquartered in the Big Apple.  Pfizer has been front and center in the COVID-19 battle and their contributions to this fight continues to the present.  The annual income is believed to be greater than $9.5 billion per year.

It’s a pizza battle

22 – Pizza Hut

Everyone loves pizza.  Football fans love pizza.  A pizza chain could be a great stadium sponsor and Pizza Hut is a good option.  Pizza Hut is based in Plano, TX, and produces an annual revenue stream of $1.1 billion each year.

21 – Domino’s Pizza

Domino’s Pizza could roll the dice and become a stadium sponsor.  The Ann Arbor, MI-based chain has mastered the art of delivery and pickup – a key factor in weathering the pandemic over the last two years.  That strategy has helped them to thrive at a time when most businesses were forced to shut down.

20 – FedEx

Is this really possible?  Could FedEx, the country’s largest parcel carrier, sponsor the new stadium?  It is certainly possible, but not likely.  Fred Smith (a former minority owner of the WFT), the chairman and CEO, is the father of Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith.

19 – UPS

UPS could be a prime candidate to take the reins from FedEx, but would they be willing to do so?  Founded in 1907, the Sandy Springs, GA transportation giant is the world’s largest courier service and produces an annual income of about $8 billion each year.

FedEx operates out of Memphis International Airport and UPS has a similar operation at the Louisville International Airport.  UPS has sponsored a number of sports in various capacities over the years, but a stadium would be a new venture.

Energy companies have a lot of money

18 – Marathon Petroleum Corporation

Marathon Petroleum is based in Findlay, OH, and enjoys a solid yearly income of ten to twelve billion dollars depending on the economy.  Like most successful oil companies, Marathon is a highly diversified operation with interests in oil, gas, pipelines, energy transportation/distribution, renewable energy, and energy storage.

Marathon Petroleum became a subsidiary of Marathon Oil in 2009 and putting the name on a shiny new stadium could increase their exposure in a very competitive industry.

17 – British Petroleum

British Petroleum is a worldwide industry leader in the energy sector.  The income BP generates each year is north of $20 billion and sponsoring an NFL stadium would be quite easy for the Cambridge, England-based behemoth.  The multi-national company has interests in oil, gas, renewables, aviation fuels, transportation/distribution, pipelines, wells, storage, refining, exploration, and power production.

Founded in 1908 (the actual name was adopted in 1954), BP went through some turbulent times earlier in this century with accidents in Alaska, the Gulf of Mexico, and Texas City, TX.  With changes in safety and operations, BP has enjoyed more than half a decade of success since the turmoil.  Would they be interested in partnering with the Washington Football Team?

16 – Boeing

Boeing was founded in 1916 – a time when aviation was in its infancy.  The world’s largest builder of commercial aircraft is based in Chicago after moving from longtime home Seattle in 2001.  Boeing also produces helicopters, Naval fighter/attack jets, satellites, missiles, telecommunications equipment and supplies, space capsules, space rockets, and electronic propulsion.  Want to go for a ride?

Boeing builds many of these products in states like Washington, South Carolina, Oregon, Missouri, Texas, Arizona, Florida, California, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Illinois, Ohio, and Utah.  The aerospace giant also has a major presence in Arlington, VA.  Could they expand their footprint in the DMV even further in a few years?

15 – Apple

Everyone knows Apple.  Yours truly can remember when a neighbor bought an Apple computer more than 40 years ago and was happy to demonstrate it to everyone.  I admit to being a PC person, but Apple products have impacted my life for many years – both directly and indirectly.  Apple is everywhere.  There are too many products to list here, but the aforementioned sentence puts it in the proper perspective.

Would Apple take another major step into the world of sports and increase its reach into another source of consumers?  Anything is possible.  The Cupertino, CA technology mega-giant can easily sponsor a stadium and supply the premises with a technical experience for fans that would simply be unmatched.  In 2018, Apple was the first company to reach a market value of $1 trillion.  In 2020, they became the first to reach a market value of $2 trillion.  Founded in 1976, Apple brings unmatched revenues each year.  Yes, Apple is filthy rich.  Could you pass me that iPhone and watch, please?

14 – Lowe’s

Are you looking to do some remodeling in your home or just work on some basic additions to your personal office or bedroom?  Perhaps you are looking to leave the city or suburban life and become a modern-day homesteader.  Obviously, you will need a lot of supplies and building materials.  Lowe’s is one of the largest home improvement/hardware retail chains in the world and it is a preferred chain for many handymen and women.  Lowe’s has been involved in the sports realm for many years, especially in NASCAR.  Lowe’s sponsored a championship race team and was the primary sponsor for Charlotte Motor Speedway from 1998 to 2010.  That gives them plenty of experience in the sponsorship of a large sports venue.

The Mooresville, NC chain celebrated 100 years of business in 2021 and produces an average net income of $4 billion annually.  Do you need some Washington Football Team supplies for your home’s man/woman cave or tailgating experience?  Guess who became a major sponsor of the NFL three years ago?  Is the shift from NASCAR sponsorship to NFL sponsorship a strategy that is still developing?  Keep an eye on Lowe’s.

Building a new stadium with big machinery

13 – Caterpillar

Caterpillar may seem like an odd sponsor for an NFL stadium, but it is not as far-fetched as you may think.  In fact, it makes a lot of sense.  Once a new stadium location is chosen, Caterpillar could decide to be an early sponsor – several years before the stadium opens.  Follow the logic here.  Caterpillar could supply the machinery that is needed to begin and end the many building phases.  The exposure that Cat would receive in the DMV is better than spending on advertising.  The DMV is constantly growing and expanding.  Machinery is needed for each project and Caterpillar can fill these needs.  It’s a win-win for the manufacturing giant and the Washington Football Team.

The Chicago-based Caterpillar is relatively unknown to the general public, but we can see their bulldozers, front loaders, off-road trucks, backhoes, and other heavy equipment at various construction sites.  In recent years, Cat has generated an annual average income of $3 billion – more during building booms.  If Caterpillar is going to have a major role in building a new stadium, perhaps they would like to sponsor it as well.

12 – American Express

American Express is something of a highbrow payment card services company and provides preferred customers with credit cards, traveler’s cheques, charge cards, airport/Centurion lounges, individual banking, and business banking.  Based in New York City, American Express has been a member of the Dow 30 since 1982.  It’s not unusual for any financial company to sponsor a stadium.  Seven NFL stadiums are currently sponsored by various financial institutions.

Annual revenue is typically about $3 billion each year, but that is somewhat dependent on economic conditions.  American Express would certainly lift the profile of the Burgundy and Gold and the DMV region is full of billionaires and millionaires.  Could American Express make it number eight?

11 – PepsiCo

The Pepsi and Coca-Cola wars began in 1898 when Pepsi was invented, but the latter had a twelve-year head start.  Both companies are the undisputed kings in the cola markets and the products they produce today go far beyond sodas.  Why does Pepsi make this list?  Does yours truly have a bias against Coca-Cola?  Not at all.  Pepsi is currently a sponsor of the Washington Football Team and this is the sole reason for showing “favoritism” today.

Strangely enough, PepsiCo is not in the Dow 30, but Coca-Cola has been a fixture in the index since 1987.  However, PepsiCo generates more revenue each year and is able to produce an enormous income in all economic conditions.  Last spring, LeBron James left Coca-Cola for PepsiCo after many years with the former.

10 – Fanatics/FansEdge

Go ahead and admit it.  Chances are good that you have bought team apparel and merchandise from Fanatics and/or FansEdge over the years.  They have certainly lightened the bank account in this household for a long time.  Whenever there is a huge sale, it is difficult to resist the enticing offers.  Online apparel companies have exploded in popularity in recent years (more on that angle in a bit) and the convenience of having orders shipped directly to your front door threatens brick and mortar operations.  Don’t count out the local stores just yet – there is a lot of money to be made when any organization can sell NFL items.

Fanatics/FansEdge has been in business since 1995 and is headquartered in Jacksonville, FL.  They sell apparel and souvenirs/merchandise for all 32 NFL teams and for all of the major sports.  It is a privately owned company and the income is unknown, but widely believed to be more than $2 billion a year.  Fanatics/FansEdge could be a legitimate candidate to sponsor a new stadium.

9 – Lockheed Martin

The world’s largest defense contractor could be a top candidate to sponsor a new stadium.  The defense giant also contracts with the Department of Energy and NASA.  LM creates products in the following sectors:  Fighter/attack aircraft, space capsules, satellites, space propulsion, bombers, surveillance aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, military transport aircraft, weapons systems, maritime patrol systems, fleet defense systems, missiles, radar systems, communications, rotary systems, healthcare, quantum computing, renewable energy, and carbon nanotubes – among many other endeavors.

Lockheed Martin also contracts with the Department of Agriculture, EPA, USPS, IRS, CIA, FBI, NSA, and the Census Bureau.  Contrary to what you may think, Lockheed Martin does not have a contract with 007 and MI6 – at least as far as we know.  Legendary aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin include the F-22, U-2, F-35, A-4 Skyhawk, C-5, F-117, C-130, F-16, P-3 Orion, and the famed SR-71 Blackbird.  The Bethesda, MD defense giant generates a hefty yearly income that is north of $50 billion.  With the rumored military ties to the new team name, Lockheed Martin could be a perfect choice as the new stadium sponsor.

Another athletic apparel company to consider

8 – Under Armour

In 1996, a 24-year-old football player for the University of Maryland founded a small sports apparel company in his grandmother’s basement in Washington, DC.  He provided t-shirts to his former teammates that featured a unique fabric and a company was born.  Kevin Plank, a special teams ace and fullback at Maryland, was on his way to making Under Armour a household name.  Contracts began to come his way within a few years and he moved the UA headquarters to Baltimore.  The company went public in 2005 on the NASDAQ and UA now has offices across the United States and around the world.

Under Armour gear is found in the athletic departments of many colleges and universities in North America.  Yours truly has a collection of UA sweatshirts, hoodies, sweatpants, athletic shorts, winter shirts, and polos.  As we mentioned earlier, online apparel companies have increased in popularity, especially during the pandemic.  UA is no exception and is now a fixture in this market.  Would UA be interested in sponsoring a new stadium and will the NFL allow it?

The NFL has a contract with Nike to supply athletic apparel to each team.  Could the NFL gives its blessing if Under Armour doesn’t sign a clothing deal with Washington?  It’s possible.  In fact, UA could open a new outlet near the stadium without competing directly with the Nike contract.

7 – GEICO

GEICO has spent a lot of money on advertising over the last two decades.  From the “Mr. Know-It-All” and caveman commercials to the Gecko and saving you a certain percent, the Chevy Chase, MD insurance giant has generated plenty of catchphrases and gimmicks over the years.  The bottom line – it works incredibly well.

GEICO is heavily involved in NASCAR as one of the four major sponsors of the highest division Cup Series.  They are also a major sponsor of the NHL and the Washington Capitals.  Many Caps players over the years have been featured in various local GEICO commercials in the DMV.  A number of celebrities have been featured in GEICO campaigns in the past – most notably Joan Rivers and Little Richard in comedic roles.

Could GEICO make a leap to the NFL and sponsor a stadium for the Burgundy and Gold?  In a typical year, the insurance conglomerate rakes in more than $30 billion.  That is second only to State Farm.  Is GEICO willing to make such a move?  Scoop, there it is and what it could be!

Are you willing to spend a buck?

6 – Dollar Tree

What?  Who?  Really?  “Dollar” stores have been popping up in the cities, suburbs, and rural areas of the United States since the 1980s.  Popular chains continue to grow and add more stores throughout the country.  They are convenient, affordable, and desirable for all income groups.  Do you need to pick up a soda on the way home tonight after work?  Need a couple of rolls of toilet paper?  How about some batteries for that remote in your family room?  Dollar stores have all that and more and Dollar Tree is one of the most popular chains in the country today.  In recent years, DT has expanded its reach into Canada and it is just a matter of time until they build stores in additional countries.

Dollar Tree is headquartered in Chesapeake, VA – a traditional Washington Football Team territory.  All of the Hampton Roads area (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton, Williamsburg, etc.) is Burgundy and Gold country.  Dollar Tree is the one-dollar chain that could sponsor a football stadium.  With more than 15,000 stores in the lower 48 states, DT brings in well over $1 billion a year.  By the way, could you pick up some snacks at Dollar Tree for the tailgate at my place this week?  It’s affordable!

5 – Monster Energy

Energy drinks at one time were considered to be an elite athlete drink of choice for extreme sports such as mountain climbing, mega hiking, ultra-marathons, triathlons, and many others.  However, that was more of a myth from the marketing of such drinks.  Energy drinks have become more mainstream in the young millennium as more people in the younger sector enjoy the boost and spark that it gives them.

Monster Energy is one of the undisputed leaders in the industry and has grown considerably over the last decade.  It enjoys close to a 35% share of the market and that is second by a small margin to Red Bull.  The Corona, CA drink giant continues to add to the extreme sports myth by sponsoring such endeavors on a very large scale.  For three years (2017-2019), they were the premier sponsor of the NASCAR Cup Series and continue to be a primary sponsor for NASCAR champion Kurt Busch in the #45 Toyota Camry that is owned by retired basketball star Michael Jordan.

Monster also sponsors F1 driving star Lewis Hamilton and all-time golfing great Tiger Woods.  You will also see Monster sponsoring many large musical events featuring the biggest stars in the world today.  Other sponsorships are too numerous to list here, but it gives you an idea of the income it creates year after year.  Is Monster Energy interested in partnering with the Washington Football Team?

https://twitter.com/MonsterEnergy/status/1476635119255441410

4 – Marriott International

The hospitality industry is very competitive and each company is looking to provide you with the best service possible – all with friendly smiles on their faces.  Hotels come in different shapes and sizes and range from mom and pop operations to elegant (and expensive) five-star options.  The better the lodging, the more you will pay.  Marriot International is the largest chain in the world and you will always find the Book of Mormon in each room – the chain was founded by devout Mormons.

The Bethesda, MD hotel chain started as a root beer stand in Washington, DC back in 1927.  Nearly 30 years later, the first hotel opened in Arlington, VA and another one was added in Arlington two years later.  Marriott was on its way to becoming the massive hospitality conglomerate that we see today.  Along the way, Marriott has added more than two dozen brands to their portfolio including Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Sheraton, Renaissance, Courtyard, Fairfield, Gaylord, and Westin.

Will this local hotel chain extend some hospitality to the Washington Football Team and sponsor a new stadium.  They have no presence in the world of sports, but there is a first time for everything.  Marriott generates more than $20 billion annually in revenue, but they did take a financial hit in 2020 and 2021 with the pandemic.  If Marriott sponsors the stadium, Washington will likely sever their ties with MGM Resorts.

Before we reveal the final three, there are five companies that could sponsor a new stadium and all five of them are current sponsors of the Washington Football Team.  They include NRG Energy, FanDuel, MGM Resorts, Anheuser-Busch, and Inova Health System.  They are likely to remain as sponsors and it is unlikely that any of them would sponsor a new stadium, but that is not a 100% guarantee.

3 – Toyota

One of the world’s leading manufacturers of automobiles could sponsor a new stadium.  Nissan has their name on the Titans stadium in Nashville and Ford sponsors the huge training facility of the Dallas Cowboys.  Is Toyota ready to make another big splash in the sports world and sponsor an NFL stadium?  We list this automaker as one of the top possibilities.  Toyota has a business relationship with many NFL teams, including Washington.  During press conferences with the coaches and players, you will often see the many Toyota logos in the background.

Toyota was founded in 1937 by Kiichiro Toyoda, the son of a businessman and inventor.  The first Toyota to gain international acclaim was the Toyota 2000GT sports car that was featured in a James Bond film in 1967.  Toyota began to have an impact on the worldwide market when energy prices skyrocketed in the 1970s and became an industry leader by the 1980s.  Earlier in this new millennium, Toyota streamlined the process of manufacturing and improved production time by more than 40%.  They also introduced hybrid technology, electric transportation, and fuel cell vehicles.

Toyota has a major imprint in the sports world.  Toyota sponsors several sports venues including soccer stadiums, a basketball arena, an ice hockey training facility, a college football stadium, several racing venues, and an all-purpose arena.  Toyota cars race in European LeMans, World Rally, Indy Racing League, and NHRA.  Toyota also races in NASCAR’s three main series.  The flagship team for Toyota in the NASCAR Cup Series is Joe Gibbs Racing.  Remember Coach Gibbs?  Don’t you think it is time for Toyota to sponsor an NFL stadium?

2 – Amazon

The internet as we know it today (the “www” – world wide web) was barely a year old when a young man started an online bookstore business from his garage in Bellevue, WA.  In the summer of 1994, Jeff Bezos created a company known as Amazon.  The young online business went public during a period known as the “internet boom”, but Amazon struggled to make a profit in the early days and was trading in the single digits in early 2000.  Bezos was not deterred and was able to put Amazon on a path to incredible success.  You know they are truly “big-time” when supreme actor extraordinaire Harrison Ford starred in several Amazon Super Bowl commercials in 2019.

Amazon now earns more than $20 billion each year and is the largest retailer in the United States today.  They are also a technology giant, grocery store, delivery service, publishing empire, internet service provider, entertainment producer, pharmacy, and a countless number of other business ventures.  As one of the information technology “Big Five” giants, Amazon has impacted nearly every citizen in the United States and many others throughout the world.  Yours truly admits to being a fan and they have helped to lighten the wallet as well.  Amazon has shipping centers and warehouses in and around most of the bigger cities of the United States.

Amazon’s headquarters is located in Seattle, WA.  In 2017, Amazon decided to expand its headquarters and announced a second HQ (HQ2) site in Arlington, VA.  Employees began moving into the new center in 2019 and the second HQ is still in the construction phase.  It is widely known that Bezos would like to own an NFL team, but none are currently for sale.  He could decide to sponsor Washington’s new stadium and have an association with the league that he so desperately seeks.  Keep an eye on Amazon.  Can you imagine the technological and retail benefits of having an Amazon or Amazon Prime Stadium?

A really sweet local connection

1 – M&M’s (Mars, Inc.)

We have arrived at our top candidate for possible stadium sponsors.  Any of the top 25 choices would be a solid sponsor, but only one will prevail in the end.  There could be a company that is not mentioned here, but we honestly think the final choice will come from this list.  The number one business on our list is M&M’s and Mars, Inc.  Mars is privately owned by the Mars family and is headquartered in McLean, VA.  Each year, Mars brings in more than $35 billion in revenue and most of the yearly financial statements are not released to the public.  But make no mistake about it, Mars makes a lot of money and can easily sponsor a Washington Football Team stadium.

The flagship candies for Mars are M&M’s and Snickers.  Founded in 1911, Mars is the undisputed leader in this industry and will continue to be the most popular candies for Americans and citizens of the world.  In addition to the two aforementioned candies, Mars also produces Milky Way, Twix, Mars Bars, 3 Musketeers, Skittles, Wrigley’s Gum, Combos, Starburst, Big Red, and many others.  They also produce pet foods such as Pedigree, Royal Canin, Pill Pockets, Eukanuba, and Whiskas.

Mars has been in NASCAR since 1990 as a team sponsor and currently sponsors NASCAR champion Kyle Busch in the #18 M&Ms Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing.  After this season, M&Ms and Mars will leave NASCAR altogether and exit the sports world – for now.  Are they planning to shift to the NFL and the Washington Football Team?  If this happens, M&Ms is likely to be the primary Mars product that is featured for the new venue.  Just imagine the impact it would have on the youngest fans and candy aficionados throughout the DMV.  Be honest – you’re already thinking about the M&M’s characters in Washington Football Team helmets.  Just imagine players like Terry McLaurin and Chase Young appearing in commercials with the M&Ms characters.  This would truly be the sweetest sponsorship of all.

There is your list of 25 businesses and potential sponsors.  If you have already made a connection to former head coach Joe Gibbs and two of the companies, you are 100% correct.  Would Coach Gibbs be something of a liaison for such a deal if it happens?  Don’t bet against it.