New Rangers Stadium to Have Familiar Name

Those bemoaning the eventual demise of Globe Life Park as the home of the Rangers can at least take solace in knowing the Rangers will move nearby to a similarly named venue in Globe Life Field.

The naming rights partnership extension for Globe Life keeps the insurance company and the Rangers together through 2048. The new $1.1 billion Globe Life Field is expected to open for the 2020 season.

“Globe Life has been an outstanding partner over the last four years, and the Rangers are excited that this relationship will continue long into the future,”Rangers co-chairman and managing partner Ray Davis said.  “We thank Globe Life for its commitment as the naming rights partner for the beautiful new Globe Life Field and for being a leader in its community efforts with our youth.”

Globe Life became the naming rights partner for then-Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in February 2014 with the name change to Globe Life Park in Arlington. Under terms of the new deal, Globe Life will continue to be the official life and health insurance company of the Rangers. The company will also maintain its role as a community partner as it has made a substantial commitment to support youth baseball and softball programs in conjunction with the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation.

“We are thrilled to continue as the official life and health insurance company of the Texas Rangers,” said Globe Life Direct Response president and CEO Bill Leavell. “We’ve seen positive results from our Globe Life partnership. It’s extremely exciting to be a part of the game plan for Globe Life Field and to continue the outstanding work carried out for children through the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation.

The current Globe Life Park, opened in 1994 and seating around 50,000 fans, has long been questioned for its lack of shading, especially in an upper deck that offers no respite for fans sitting in the hot Texas sun. The new stadium, built next door, under the design of Dallas-based HKS Architects, will include a retractable roof for climate control and fan shelter. The venue will also include a street-side engagement aimed at tying together with the surrounding Texas Live! Development, a mixed-used entertainment district featuring dining, entertainment, a hotel, retail and a convention center.

“For us, the new Texas Rangers Ballpark development is very special. It carries its own rich identity based on a combination of tradition, heritage, character and ambition that will ultimately represent itself as the premier destination in North Texas,” said Bryan Trubey, HKS executive vice president and principal designer on the project. “We are delighted to be part of this exciting new development that will impact not only the Texas Rangers and their fans, but the city of Arlington and the entire region for many years to come.”

HKS has designed Miller Park in Milwaukee; U.S. Cellular Field renovations in Chicago; and Dodger Stadium renovations in Los Angeles. In the NFL, HKS designed AT&T Stadium in Arlington; Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis; the new U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis; and the under-construction home for the Los Angeles Rams.

The Rangers played in Arlington Stadium upon moving to Texas from 1972 to 1993 before moving into what was previously known as The Ballpark in Arlington. Arlington Stadium held between 35,000 and 43,000 during the Rangers’ stay. It was demolished in 1994.

— Tim Newcomb covers gear and business for Baseball America. Follow him on Twitter at @tdnewcomb.