Reminder: Only four more days before Miller Park becomes American Family Field

Yep. There are only four more days before Miller Park, long the home of your Milwaukee Brewers, becomes American Family Field. That’s it. That’s the article.

Okay, here’s a little more. The change becomes official on January 1, 2021. So when you’re counting down to the end of this miserable year at 11:59 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, you’ll also be counting down to the end of Miller Park. Should old acquaintance be forgot and all that jazz.

“I’M STILL CALLING IT MILLER PARK!” bellow some Wisconsinites. “I’M STILL CALLING IT COUNTY STADIUM!” bellow others, even though it’s not the same stadium. “Former Miller Park logos and branding should not be used as of Jan. 1, 2021,” warns a recent press release from the Brewers. Sigh.

Miller had been the sole naming rights sponsor of the Brewers’ home since it first opened in 2001. In 1996, the company purchased those rights through the 2020 season for $40 million. American Family’s naming rights deal is set to last 15 years. A dollar amount has not been revealed.

“The name American Family Field incorporates what we learned from fans, the Brewers and marketing research that included analysis of our brand, and other sporting venue names,” said Jack Salzwedel, American Family chair and executive officer, back in January 2020. “The name is short, simple, and sweet with its alliteration of ‘Family’ and ‘Field.’ The words ‘American Family’ capture our brand and reflect the family-orientated atmosphere that our research showed fans clearly value in the ballpark.”

Want to say goodbye to Miller Park on its final day of being Miller Park? In true 2020 fashion, you can stop by and pay your respects…while getting tested for COVID-19. Drive-thru and walk-up testing will be available from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. The site will be closed on New Year’s Day. God. What a year.

So long, Miller Park (yeah, it’s just a name, we know). Thanks for all the memories.