Board approves Raising Cane’s and LCMC Health naming-rights deals for Ninth Ward Stadium

The Orleans Parish School Board voted June 4 to approve license and naming-rights agreements that will place corporate sponsors on the new Ninth Ward Stadium and its playing field.

The board approved a $2 million, multi-year license with Raising Cane's Restaurants LLC for stadium naming rights and a separate $600,000 agreement with Louisiana Children's Medical Center (DBA LCMC Health) for the field. Supporters attending the meeting described the deals as major private-sector contributions that bring the stadium project closer to completion.

At public comment, Arie Filco, a project advocate, called the agreements “milestone events” that capped a seven-year effort and said a ribbon-cutting and operator selection would follow. "We're almost there," Filco said, urging continued fundraising for additional project phases.

Board members asked about how the $2 million price was determined and who would pay for signage. Miss Griffin asked whether an independent valuation supported the price; a respondent said negotiations among the advisory board, district staff and the sponsor determined the figure. The board confirmed $200,000 for signage is included in the stadium project budget; upgrades beyond that would be sponsor-funded. The district reported work with risk management on insurance and said it should not increase premiums.

Board members also discussed a planned brick campaign to involve community members in the project and an anticipated operator-selection process this summer. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was expected within weeks; the project team was asked to share dates with board members.

Both naming-rights agreements passed the board. The transcript records one recorded opposition on the Raising Cane's motion during the vote count.