open for business

Astros owner Jim Crane makes major league save of Houston Open golf tournament

Crane (right) announced that his Astros Foundation is taking over the Houston Open.

Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan

Houston’s most iconic golf tournament has a new benefactor, thanks to a major league move by Astros owner Jim Crane.

Crane’s Astros Foundation announced on June 12 that it has a five-year agreement with the PGA Tour to run the Houston Open starting in the fall of 2019. The date of the tournament was not announced. The prize money will be $7.5 million.

The Astros Foundation — the team charity of the Houston Astros — will use a consortium of local sponsors for financial support of the tournament, according to a statement from the foundation.

“The Astros Foundation has always committed to giving back to our community,” said Crane, in a statement. “The funds raised by this tournament will allow us to continue our commitment to serving the people within our county and city and help improve our parks.”

Fans, followers, and organizers of the nationally relevant tournament have expressed concerns over the Houston Open’s future, as it was without a title sponsor — since Shell Oil declined to renew its contract after the 2017 tournament.

The Houston Golf Association ran it without a title sponsor this year, and the tour struggled to find a replacement. The announcement also means the Houston Golf Association is no longer the host organization of the Houston Open after 72 years.

Next season will be the first time the Houston Open is not part of the PGA Tour season since 1969. The Houston Open dates to 1946 when Byron Nelson won at River Oaks Country Club. The always nattily attired Ian Poulter won this year.

sports charity

chill out

Houston Astros ballpark gets cool new name for the next 15 years

Courtesy of the Houston Astros

The Astros' stadium will have a new name in 2025.

The Houston Astros are about to have the coolest ballpark in Major League Baseball. The team announced on Monday, November 18 that its has reached a naming rights agreement HVAC manufacturer Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc.

Beginning on January 1, 2025, the stadium will be known as Daikin Park (die-kin). Scheduled to run through the 2039 season, the new name replaces Minute Maid Park, which has been the stadium’s name since 2002. It opened in 1999 as Enron Field.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Houston Astros (@astros)

Astros fans online are already calling the new stadium “The Ice Box,” replacing its informal “The Juice Box” moniker. That name feels likely to stick.

Japan-based Daikin Industries is a leading manufacturer of HVAC systems. It sells air conditioning units and other products under brand names such as Daikin, Goodman, Amana® and Quietflex. Critically, it operates Daikin Texas Technology Park in nearby Waller, which is the largest HVAC manufacturing facility in North America. The company employs approximately 10,000 people in Greater Houston, according to a release.

“We are excited to be partnering with Daikin for our ballpark’s naming rights,” Astros owner Jim said. “Daikin is an international company that proudly calls the Greater Houston area its North American home. The Houston Astros and Daikin share the same values, a commitment to excellence and a desire to give back to our local community. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this ballpark in 2025, I am proud to have Daikin alongside us to create even more special memories for our fans now and in the future.”

The Astros will use the revenue for new stadium amenities and other upgrades. It will also continue the team’s various community initiatives. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. the Houston Chronicle notes that naming rights deals may be worth anywhere from $3.5 million per year (T-Mobile park in Seattle) to $11 million per year for the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field.

The team’s first game in Daikin Park will take place on Monday, March 24, which it plays an exhibition against its Triple-A affiliate, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. It will open the regular season on Thursday, March 27 against the New York Mets.

“Daikin fit all of the criteria we set out to find in a naming rights partner,” Astros senior vice president Matt Brand added. “Their name and reputation fit our iconic downtown Houston home, and their values mesh perfectly with those of the Astros. We are grateful to partner with the entire Daikin team and to help them succeed in their business goals. Daikin Park will be a special place for our fans for many years to come.”

houston astros daikin park business