Reliant Energy Snaps Up Naming Rights for Harris County Sports, Convention Facilities

HOUSTON-Reliant Energy will pay $300 million to put its name on the Astrodome stadium and other adjacent sports and convention facilities controlled by Harris County.

The 32-year deal also gives the naming rights to Reliant for the new NFL stadium that is under construction for the Houston Texans football franchise. The entire complex of stadiums and convention facilities, located off Kirby Drive, will be renamed Reliant Park. The facilities at Reliant Park will include Reliant Stadium, Reliant Astrodome, Reliant Arena, Reliant Hall and the new Reliant Center, exposition facility that is currently under construction. Reliant Stadium is slated to have its first game in August 2002 when the Houston Texans will host the Miami Dolphins in their first home pre-season contest. Reliant Stadium will seat 69,500 and will feature a retractable roof with a natural grass-playing surface. The Astrodome, built in 1965 as the nation’s first domed stadium, has been renamed the Reliant Astrodome.