Here are the details of the Inter Miami, AutoNation DRV PNK Stadium sponsorship deal

Inter Miami will be in the pink as it kicks off its second season.

The MLS club and AutoNation, the Fort Lauderdale-based automotive retailer, on Friday announced a multilayered three-year deal that includes naming rights of the stadium and branding on the first team training kits.

The 18,000-seat stadium will be named “DRV PNK Stadium” in support of AutoNation’s DRV PNK cancer charity initiative. The stadium, built last year on the former Lockhart Stadium site, already was awash in pink as the team colors are pink and black.

Fans will get their first look at the newly-named stadium on Apr. 18, as a limited crowd of 8,000 is expected for Inter Miami’s season opener against the Los Angeles Galaxy. The two teams were scheduled to play in Miami’s inaugural home opener in March 2020, but the league shut down two days before due to COVID-19.

Maximum attendance will be 8,000 fans for the first three games, and potentially 16,000 by the end of May.

Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas said AutoNation’s South Florida roots and community work made it an attractive partner.

“Inter Miami is a purpose-driven organization, and we take great pride in partnering with AutoNation, #154 on the Fortune 500 and a South Florida-based company that is positively impacting our community through a creative national campaign,” said Mas. “It’s important as a sports club to take our time to partner with the right brands who not only represent our values but also help us use our platforms and reach to amplify good causes.”

Last year, the club faced some criticism when reports surfaced that Qatar Airways was being considered as a jersey sponsor. A few cruise lines were also in line as potential uniform sponsors before the pandemic hit.

Mas said he was inspired to find a worthy cause for a stadium partner after learning of Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena. He said he wants the jersey sponsor to “reflect our values” and said he is “highly confident” they will have a jersey sponsor “very, very soon.”

“To name the stadium DRV PNK, it fits our color scheme, but more importantly it’s about values, being able to bring attention to a cause that’s going to change lives,” Mas said. “I found the Climate Change Arena a fascinating way to get out a message. That’s the type of thing we want to do here. We have a global platform to talk about Drive Pink and breast cancer awareness. It was a perfect fit.”

The two sides were in talks since last summer.

“DRV PNK Stadium is about raising awareness of a proven mission that has raised over $26 million in the fight against cancer. Our partnership with Inter Miami, one of the most dynamic fútbol clubs, will raise awareness and help fund cancer research,” said Marc Cannon, AutoNation’s executive vice president and chief customer experience officer. “It allows for our collective support of organizations like the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Cleveland Clinic, and Moffitt Cancer Center at the national and local levels.”

As a part of the deal, AutoNation will sponsor a “Saves” feature during Inter Miami matches. For every Inter Miami goalkeeper save and shutout, AutoNation and Inter Miami will make a donation towards cancer research.

Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis attended the press conference and thanked Mas and Inter Miami for becoming an active part of the community and providing a COVID-19 vaccination facility at the stadium.

In addition, the partnership includes extensive TV and digital exposure, through the Inter Miami App and Spanish language streaming.

In October, to honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and in conjunction with DRV PNK Across America Day, Inter Miami fans will be asked to wear pink to a home game to support the cause.

Mas said the team plans to keep playing in Fort Lauderdale for three seasons, and he is very pleased with the facilities there, but he remains “highly confident” a bigger, permanent stadium will eventually be built at Miami Freedom Park.

“The first thing we need to do is reach agreement on lease terms, I would say we’re 95 percent there with the City of Miami. I would anticipate, and I know I’ve been saying this for a few months, we’re very close to picking a date and putting it on the city commission agenda. Next 4-5-6 weeks we can get a date and a green light so we can move forward on the hard part, which is building the project.”

Training notes: Brek Shea (injury) missed practice Friday. Harvey Neville, 18-year-old son of coach Phil Neville, trained with the team. He played for Manchester United’s academy team. Enzo (son of Zinedine) Zidane’s is no longer trying out with the team. Edison Azcona and Geoge Acosta will play for USL team Ft. Lauderdale CF on Saturday.