Ford Acquires Naming Rights To New CCE Tampa Shed

(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Clear Channel Entertainment has inked a five-year naming rights deal with Southern Ford Dealers, a marketing coalition of 101 Ford dealers in Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, the Panhandle and parts of Alabama and Georgia, for its new $23 million, 20,000 capacity amphitheater being built at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. The new venue will be named the Ford Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds. It's the first amphitheater in Central Florida.

Financial terms have not been disclosed. However, a St. Petersburg Times article suggested a fee between $500,000 and $1 million which venue executive director Ed Morrell confirmed to the paper to be in the ballpark.

As part of the deal with Clear Channel, Ford vehicles will be showcased at concerts.

Ford Amphitheatre's first concert is scheduled for July 23 with Michael W. Smith. –Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner