Jack White, the Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famer and avid Tigers fan, has publicly criticized the decision to rename Comerica Park to Fifth Third Park, vowing to refer to the stadium as “Tiger Stadium” despite the change. The announcement, made Monday, Sept. 21, marks the first name change for the ballpark since it opened as Comerica Park in 2000. The rebranding, starting in 2027, follows the multibillion-dollar acquisition of Comerica by Fifth Third, which inherited the stadium’s naming-rights agreement.
Jack White’s Outspoken Discontent
White’s reaction, shared on Instagram, captured the frustration of many Tigers fans. “I despise the new name,” he wrote. “I don’t want to pronounce it. Who in the hell named your bank ‘Fifth Third Bank’? Sylvester the Cat? From the brilliant creators of Ruth’s Chris’s’s steak house comes your new ballpark name.” He emphasized his preference for the “Tiger Stadium” moniker, which was the team’s longtime home that closed in 1999 before the current ballpark opened. “I don’t have the patience or desire to comprehend what banks have to do with the baseball game I’m attending,” he added.
The sentiment reflects broader fan discontent. Social media platforms buzzed with criticism following the announcement, with many fans expressing disappointment over the loss of the Comerica name, which had been associated with the team for over two decades.
History of the Naming Rights Deal
Comerica Park, originally named for the bank whose roots in Detroit date to the 1880s, had an original 30-year naming-rights agreement, signed in 2000, which was extended through 2034. When Fifth Third acquired Comerica, the bank inherited the deal, prompting the rebranding. Fifth Third officials stated they considered a number of possibilities, including incorporating “Tiger Stadium” into the new name, but ultimately chose “Fifth Third Park” after soliciting feedback from fans and customers.
Corporate Sponsorships in MLB
The renaming underscores the financial realities of stadium naming rights, which can cost companies millions of dollars per year. Twenty-two of 30 Major League Baseball stadiums feature corporate sponsors in their names. Fifth Third’s decision to rebrand the ballpark aligns with its existing partnerships, including naming rights at minor-league stadiums such as Fifth Third Field in Toledo (home of the Tigers’ Triple-A affiliate) and Fifth Third Park in Spartanburg, South Carolina (home of the Texas Rangers’ High-A affiliate).
“It’s their money, and it’s their right to go with the name they wish,” wrote a commenter on a local news outlet.
Player and Fan Reactions
Tigers outfielder Ben Malgeri, who wears number 53 and hit a home run in a 9-2 victory over the Washington Nationals on the day of the announcement, was cited as perhaps the biggest fan of the name change.
Timeline and Next Steps
Signage for Fifth Third Park will begin installation in 2027, with the new name expected to be in place before the start of the season. The Tigers’ home opener is scheduled for March 25.
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