The home of the Denver Broncos will be known as Broncos Stadium at Mile High while the team continues to look for a new naming-rights sponsor.
The team announced the temporary name change Wednesday following a vote by the district that oversees the taxpayer-built stadium.
The stadium has had two naming-rights sponsors since it opened in 2001, most recently Sports Authority. Both names included a reference to the Broncos' original stadium. The team took down large signs with Sports Authority's name earlier this year after the company declared bankruptcy and stopped making payments.
In a statement, Broncos Chief Commercial Officer Mac Freeman said the team has had "many productive conversations" and is confident it will find the right partner.
“With the season fast approaching, we’re pleased that the MFSD has approved the temporary name of ‘Broncos Stadium at Mile High.’ While fans will notice some new signage going up around the stadium reflecting this change, we remain completely focused on securing a long-term naming rights partner,” Broncos Chief Commercial Officer Mac Freeman said in a statement.
“We’ve had many productive conversations and are confident we’ll identify the right partner, which is critical for ongoing improvements to our stadium. In this interim period, we’ll continue to provide all the necessary resources to ensure our stadium remains a great place for fans and one of the top facilities in all of sports,” Freeman added.
"I would be surprised if we don't have something in front of us during this season," said Ray Baker, the Metropolitan Stadium District Board president.
During the discussion prior to the vote, none of the board members made a reference to "Mile High Stadium," the desired name of many native Broncos fans who used to watch the team at the original Mile High Stadium before the new one opened in 2001.
"We probably have another million people in the city or the metro area; it's probably softened a bit," Baker said about the outcry for the name "Mile High Stadium." "But, I still believe there's a long-term need for the Mile High name and the Broncos appreciate that."
