Truist unveils its new name for BB&T Ballpark in uptown Charlotte

BB&T Ballpark, home of the Charlotte Knights Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, was renamed Truist Field Thursday.

It’s the latest in a slate of stadium renamings expected since the merger of BB&T and SunTrust to form Truist, based in Charlotte.

The name change will begin in June and is expected to be completed within 30 days, according to Knights Chief Operating Officer Dan Rajkowski.

Most everything in the park will be rebranded, including the video board, field walls, highway signs and staff apparel. Some signs have already switched to the new branding.

The uptown stadium was completed in 2014, after a years-long, sometimes controversial, quest to move from the team’s old stadium in Fort Mill, S.C.

SunTrust Park, the home of the Atlanta Braves, was renamed Truist Park this year as well. BB&T also sponsored minor-league stadiums in Winston-Salem, its former headquarters city, and Williamsport, Pa.

As a part of the rebranding, Truist donated $75,000 to the Knights’ COVID-19 relief fund.

Easy transition

Minor and major league baseball has been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic since March, and strife between the players and team owners has complicated re-opening plans. There is currently no plan in place for a resumption of play.

In a bittersweet twist, the lack of play made the transition easier, Rajkowski said in an interview.

“It’s unfortunate. We wanted a bigger splash, a bigger bang,” he said. “Realizing that we needed to transition, we want it ready for when this ballpark opens.”

This story was originally published June 11, 2020 at 11:43 AM.