The family of Theodore "Ted" Lerner, which owns the Nationals, is expected at some point to make a deal for long-term naming rights to the stadium. The family bought the team in 2006, but have been waiting for the right time to cash in. Today The Post speculates that if they time it right, they could make $15 million a year over several decades.
"The maximum timing for the stars to be aligned [for a naming rights deal] may be this year or next year," said Mark Tuohey, an attorney and former chairman of the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission. Tuohey played a key role in bringing the Nationals, formerly the Montreal Expos, to Washington. "If you couple a successful season with the potential for playoff and World Series success ... this year or next year will be maximum timing."· Nationals owners may be waiting for the perfect pitch to sell park's naming rights [Washington Post]