Leidos acquires naming rights for Maryland stadium

Published April 1, 2015 by Robert Powell, III

Reston-based Leidos Inc. has acquired the naming rights for Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Md.

Newly named Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium is the home of the Aberdeen IronBirds. The team is the New York-Penn League short-season affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles.

In announcing the multiyear naming rights deal with Ripken Baseball, Leidos CEO Roger Krone said the technology solutions company has many customers in the Aberdeen Proving Ground area and noted that many of Leidos employees live there also.

“We have found sports engagements like this, and our partnership with MLS team D.C. United, to be an effective way to brand our company, while at the same time enabling us to engage with employees and the local community,” Krone said in a statement.

Leidos has annual revenue of about $5.06 billion and employs 19,000 workers.

Founded in 2001, Ripken Baseball is a Baltimore-based sports entertainment company representing the interests of former Major League players Cal Ripken Jr. and Bill Ripken.

Its chairman is Cal Ripken Jr., a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.