Rumors have been flying around for several months about who would end up with the naming rights to the Portland Timbers' renovated stadium. On Monday, it was revealed that Oregon-based door and window manufacturer Jeld-Wen has won those rights, paying a rumored $1.2-1.5 million. The Timbers had not been hiding the fact that they were looking for a new company to take over the naming rights from Portland General Electric, whose naming-rights deal had run out. The city of Portland is spending a reported $31 million to renovate the 85-year-old stadium.
Portland Timbers Rename Stadium Jeld-Wen Field
This marks at least the fourth name that the stadium has been called. It was originally named Civic Stadium and was used for greyhound racing, among other things. It was first used for professional soccer during the NASL days from 1975-1982. Its seminal moment came in 1977 when Pele played his final professional match, as the New York Cosmos beat the Seattle Sounders in the Soccer Bowl.
When Jeld-Wen Field hosts its first MLS match on April 14, it will become the oldest stadium ever to be used by a MLS team. While both Ohio Stadium and the Rose Bowl, which were used by the Columbus Crew and LA Galaxy, were built before Jeld-Wen Field, but neither were as old as Jen-Weld Field is now when they wer being used.
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