Republic FC Stadium Renamed Papa Murphy’s Park

Bonney Field is no more.

On Thursday, Sacramento Republic FC held a press conference at their Cal Expo playing facility to announce a change in naming rights to the stadium. Formerly known as Bonney Field, the site will now be called Papa Murphy’s Park.

“I like to say love at 425 degrees,” espoused Republic FC President and Co-Founder Warren Smith at the media event.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to add another partner. We pride ourselves on relationships and ultimately making a difference for our partners and to have a brand as powerful as Papa Murphy’s—who are already serving our clients, who are already in the neighborhoods… our families that come to our park are picking up pizzas after practice at their stores—it’s just a wonderful chance to come together and help each other grow their businesses.”

The multi-year partnership between Republic FC and Papa Murphy’s will extend through 2019 and applies only to the Cal Expo facility, according Erika Bjork, Republic’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications. The partnership will then be reevaluated based on whether or not Sacramento receives an MLS expansion team.

“We look forward to the relationship and growing it and maybe event taking it to the next level,” said Smith.

Also on hand to speak was Republic defender Emrah Klimenta, who may have had the [cheesiest—pun intended] quote of the day.

“On the field, we’re going to shake and bake; off the field, we’re going to take and bake,” said Klimenta.

The newly christened Papa Murphy’s Park opened as Bonney Field in June 2014 with an 8,000-seat capacity that eventually grew into 11,500 seats in 2015.

No word yet as to how the Tower Bridge Battalion plans to incorporate Papa Murphy’s Park into their “When I’m Singing” chant.

You can view the entire press conference below, via Republic’s Facebook channel.

What are your thoughts on the name change, fam? Like it, hate it, or don’t mind it either way? Let us know in the comments below.