RENTON, Wash.– CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL), the Seattle Seahawks and First & Goal Inc. have agreed to terms on a stadium naming rights extension beginning 2019 through the 2033 NFL season. CenturyLink Field and CenturyLink Field Event Center, which hosts more than 185 events per year and attracts more than 2.4 million attendees annually, is the home of the Seahawks, Sounders FC, stadium concerts, Seattle Auto Show, Seattle Boat Show, Seattle Home Show, Seattle RV Show, and various community and corporate events. This stadium naming rights extension is pending approval by the Washington State Public Stadium Authority, the Washington State public corporation owner of the stadium and event center.
The current naming rights agreement began in 2004 as Qwest Field. It was renamed CenturyLink Field in 2011, when CenturyLink became the naming rights sponsor following its acquisition of Qwest Communications. Under this new agreement, CenturyLink will continue to be the exclusive communications services sponsor of CenturyLink Field and the Seattle Seahawks.
"CenturyLink's naming rights relationship with the Seahawks allows fans to have an enhanced game-day experience with secure, state-of-the-art stadium technology. We are excited about renewing this agreement, as it will allow us to continue to be a part of the Seahawks community and to remain connected with the 12s, one of the NFL's most passionate fan bases," said Glen F. Post, III, chief executive officer and president of CenturyLink. "CenturyLink Field showcases CenturyLink's brand locally and nationally, while providing high-quality engagement opportunities with consumers and businesses regarding CenturyLink's focus on improving their lives by connecting them to the power of the digital world."
"We are proud to announce the continuation of our naming rights partnership with CenturyLink," said First & Goal Inc. and Seahawks President Peter McLoughlin. "CenturyLink Field unites our community as a home to championship caliber moments and diverse events that provide memorable experiences each year to millions of people. We are honored and appreciative to have an exceptional partner in CenturyLink who continues to demonstrate their commitment to our team, our fans and our community with this extension."
CenturyLink and the Seahawks will continue to partner on deep-rooted community programs, including the CenturyLink High School Athlete of the Week, which recognizes the performance of student-athletes on the field as well as their commitment to the classroom and community. Since the partnership began in 2004, the Seahawks and CenturyLink have donated nearly $200,000 to 108 high schools and students throughout the state of Washington. CenturyLink will continue to serve as the presenting sponsor for the team's community-based Spirit of 12 Partners, which has raised more than $3.8 million for local charities since its inception in 2004.
Twenty-percent of annual net profits generated from the operation of the Event Center are deposited into the State of Washington Permanent Common School Fund for public school improvements.
About CenturyLink Field and CenturyLink Field Event Center
The CenturyLink Field stadium complex includes CenturyLink Field and the 325,000 sq. ft. CenturyLink Field Event Center, and WaMu Theatre. CenturyLink Field, which opened in 2002, is home to the Seattle Seahawks, who have sold out 122 consecutive games, and finished the 2016 season with the No. 1 ranked gameday experience, according to the NFL's Voice of the Fan survey. In addition, CenturyLink Field and CenturyLink Field Event Center hosts more than 185 events per year and attracts more than 2.4 million attendees annually. The venue has hosted many premier concerts, including Beyoncé, Metallica, Rolling Stones, Taylor Swift, and U2, international soccer matches, Supercross, corporate events and community gatherings.
About CenturyLink
CenturyLink (NYSE: CTL) is a global communications and IT services company focused on connecting its customers to the power of the digital world. CenturyLink offers network and data systems management, big data analytics, managed security services, hosting, cloud, and IT consulting services. The company provides broadband, voice, video, advanced data and managed network services over a robust 265,000-route-mile U.S. fiber network and a 360,000-route-mile international transport network. Visit CenturyLink for more information.
The best photos from team photographer Rod Mar's behind-the-scenes 'Eye on the Hawks' photo blog from the Seattle Seahawks' 2016 NFL season.
At 12:15, the defensive backs, led by Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman, left the locker room an headed to the field, passing a large 12 flag signed by fans.
The Seahawks players and coaches linked arms in a pregame display of unity during the playing of the national anthem. From left are defensive coordinator Kris Richard, cornerback Richard Sherman, head coach Pete Carroll and defensive backs coach Andre Curtis.
Now in uniform, quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Trevone Boykin prepare to take the field for pregame warmups.
Quarterback Russell Wilson surveys the field looking for an open receiver.
Head coach Pete Carroll walks on the grass of the Coliseum, site of many of his memorable victories as coach of the U.S.C. Trojans. In the background (from left) are assistant line coach Pat Ruel, receivers coach Dave Canales, special teams assistant Chad Morton and assistant strength coach Jamie Yanchar. All were with Carroll at U.S.C. as coaches, except for Morton who played for Carroll from 1996-1999.
It's less than ten minutes from kickoff and the Seahawks fill the hallway of the locker room, ready to take on the Rams.
Quarterback Russell Wilson emerges from smoke and fog as he prepares to be introduced during pregame.
Wide receiver Tyler Lockett stops to sign a young fan's jersey after walk-thru on Saturday.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll smiles after a Christine Michael touchdown in the fourth quarter extended Seattle's lead to 24-10.
Frank Clark sweats during a pregame workout as he and trainers assessed his fitness to play after suffering a hamstring injury earlier in the week.
Quarterback Russell Wilson throws a pass during the offensive unit's brief walk thru in a hotel ballroom.
Offensive tackle Garry Gilliam methodically tapes his fingers before taking the field.
An hour before kickoff, the Seahawks defensive backs including DeAndre Elliott, Jeremy Lane and Kam Chancellor and receivers coach Dave Canales prepared to take the field for pregame warmups.
After the game, quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Carson Went greeted each other at midfield.
Once on the plane for the trip to Seattle, linemen Mark Glowinski and Germain Ifedi were already reviewing game video with line coach Tom Cable.
Seahawks including Kelcie McCray (left), Russell Wilson and others salute receiver Tyler Lockett who finished off his 75-yard touchdown with a basketball celebration in the end zone.
Just before 10am, safety Earl Thomas arrives for work in a pink overcoat as the Seahawks honored Breast Cancer Awareness month during the game by wearing pink accessories with their uniforms.
Seahawks head coach speaks with Atlanta head coach and former Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn after the hard-fought contest.
Kevin Pierre-Louis sports a holiday sweater featuring the "Crying Jordan" meme as he heads to the bus for the trip to Green Bay in Week 14.
Seahawks players cast long shadows in the late October sun as they walk to the airplane for the flight back to Seattle.
Head coach Pete Carroll address the team in the quiet locker room after the game.
Bobby Wagner gets ready to run out of the tunnel during introductions.
Michael Bennett leads a cheer as the team celebrates in the locker room after the game.
The defensive backs get pumped in their pregame circle.
A member of the military helps hold the American flag aloft during the playing of the national anthem prior to kickoff.
Seattle receiver Tyler Lockett signals to the crowd as he is helped to a cart to be taken off the field after injuring his leg in the second quarter.
Receiver Doug Baldwin kneels and prays in the end zone after his touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Waiting at midfield was a table with memorabilia from their relationship and a marriage proposal from Brock. She said yes, as friends and family watched from afar.
As light snow falls, Jeron Johnson uses his camera phone to record himself, Kam Chancellor and Mike Morgan as they prepare to board the Delta charter.
The weather was much milder upon landing in San Jose as Michael Bennett descends the stairs from the aircraft.
Back in the locker room Jarran Reed gets ready in the final moments before the team left the locker room for kickoff.
Defensive end Frank Clark corrals the loose ball.
At game's end head coaches Chip Kelly and Pete Carroll met at midfield.
Free safety Earl Thomas returned to CenturyLink Field for the first time since injuring his leg, and he joined his Legion of Boom teammates outside the locker room for their pregame huddle.
Cornerback DeShawn Shead walks through fog and lasers as he waits for his name to be called during pregame introductions.
Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman offers a wave and a smile to the media during his postgame press conference.
Between quarters, former Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch was spotted talking to teammates on the sidelines including Michael Bennett.
Safety Kam Chancellor fires up the team as they circle around him moments before taking the field for kickoff.
Michael Bennett lets out a yell with teammates at the end of their postgame gathering in the locker room after the win.
Seahawks players board the Delta charter on a sunny autumn Friday for the cross-country trip to New Jersey for the game against the New York Jets.
