New deal for name on downtown Fresno stadium. What will it be called for next 10 years?
Chukchansi Park will continue to be the name of the downtown Fresno stadium for the next 10 years, the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians announced Monday about an extended agreement with the Fresno Grizzlies, which operates the stadium.
The stadium was renamed Chukchansi Park in 2006. It opened in 2002 as Grizzlies Stadium.
Fresno Grizzlies’ President Derek Franks, in a news release, said the tribe’s “support of our team and community over the past 15 years has been incredible.”
“It is only fitting that this announcement helps us kick off our 20th season in downtown Fresno,” Franks continued, “and we are very excited by all of the opportunities this renewed partnership brings.”
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer called the agreement a “win-win for our city and our residents.”
Joshua Herr, vice chairman of the Chukchansi Tribal Council, said he’s grateful for the opportunities the partnership has brought to the tribal community while supporting economic growth throughout the region.
The amount paid for the 10-year extension wasn’t shared Monday. A Chukchansi spokesperson said that figure might be provided after the holidays when the Tribal Council reconvenes. A Fresno Grizzlies spokesperson said their organization isn’t currently sharing more than what’s in the news release from the tribe.
The 15-year naming deal in 2006 was $16 million.
The Fresno Grizzlies played their first season this year as a Low-A ball team within Minor League Baseball after being demoted from Triple-A, and are now a Colorado Rockies affiliate. Previously, a pro soccer club also played at the stadium for a couple years.
The new 10-year extended agreement also adds 500 more parking passes for the stadium located at 1800 Tulare Street.
For tribal members, the agreement additionally adds a new tribal internship with the Fresno Grizzlies through September 2031; waives registration fees for up to 15 Chukchansi youth to attend the Grizzlies’ annual baseball camp; and lets the tribe use Chukchansi Park for special events.
It also continues the annual Chukchansi Day at Chukchansi Park, “a home game where the Tribe’s rich cultural heritage is honored and celebrated with traditional song and dance proudly displayed during the pregame ceremony.”
The agreement is with the Chukchansi Economic Development Authority, an economic development enterprise of the federally-recognized Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians based in eastern Madera County. The authority also runs the tribe’s largest enterprise, Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino in Coarsegold.
Other recent Chukchansi developments: The tribe increased its land base in Coarsegold earlier this month by 283 acres, and this summer, opened a SONIC Drive-In restaurant at Chukchansi Crossing Fuel Station & Travel Center along Highway 41.
This story was originally published December 20, 2021 at 7:50 PM.
