In Brief: PNC Paying $30M to Name Pirates Ballpark

PNC Bank Corp. said it would pay $30 million over 20 years to put its name on the new ballpark for the Pittsburgh Pirates being built north of the city's downtown.

The agreement for the 38,000-seat Major League Baseball park would begin when the park opens, scheduled for 2001. In addition to naming rights, PNC said it had a separate and exclusive marketing agreement with the Pirates.

PNC joins a host of other banks that have decided to throw marketing dollars toward affiliations with major sports teams.

Though such agreements are pricey, PNC's deal appears to be less than Banc One Corp.'s estimated $61 million pact with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Banc One is paying that sum over 30 years for naming rights on Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix and for exclusive marketing arrangements.

PNC officials said the deal would help build national recognition for the bank's brand.

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