HOUSTON \u2013 The shift back to Reliant Stadium continued Thursday one day after the change was formally approved by the Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation.<\/p>\n
The NRG signage in front of the stadium was removed following a press conference to commemorate the change, which has been extremely popular with fans.<\/p>\n
This change was influenced a recent survey finding that 90 percent of Houston area customers supported the return to the Reliant Stadium name for the hometown football team and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo along with concerts and other events annually.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a great day for for all of us,\u201d Texans team president Mike Tomon said. \u201cWe have been partners with Reliant since 2002, true founding partners. When we think about that, we are so proud for the relationship we have and the impact that we\u2019ve had for over two decades. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t wait for our 25th season of Houston Texans football to start here at Reliant Stadium, back where it all started. That is one of the most exciting moments when we think about how all of this times up, so many moments on the field and so many more great moments to come.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The stadium is being renamed from its previous NRG Stadium in the 25th season of the AFC South franchise. The Texans and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo are tenants of the stadium.<\/p>\n
The Texans are under a lease agreement through 2032. During the NFL owners meetings, Tomon said the team is having \u201cproductive conversations\u201d with its partners about stadium issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are committed the next seven years to be that partner,\u201d said Brad Bentley, the head of NRG Consumer and Reliant. \u201cHarris County and the team and the stadium does a great job of creating a great fan experience, and so we\u2019re planning to do that for another seven years together here. Excited to continue to have our name associated with the great experience of our Texan fans and of our Houston rodeo fans.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reliant Stadium first appeared on the stadium for its inaugural season in 2002 and was renamed NRG Stadium in 2014 after the company purchased Reliant\u2019s consumer business.<\/p>\n
This move precedes the FIFA World Cup and NRG signage is already being taken down.<\/p>\n
\u201cHouston is Reliant\u2019s home, and a name Texans know and trust,\u201d Bentley said. \u201cFor more than two decades, Reliant has powered the moments that bring our community together, from the Texans\u2019 first game and hosting two Super Bowls to every unforgettable Rodeo Houston performance in between. Fans have told us what this place means to them. For many, it\u2019s always been Reliant Stadium. We heard them loud and clear. Reliant Stadium is back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tomon added that Reliant will be the Texans\u2019 presenting partner of their 25th season.<\/p>\n
\u201cFocus is also off the field,\u201d Tomon said. \u201cIt is important that together, we inspire hope in Houston. We do that in a number of ways, specifically on a yearly basis, we host our Scholarships for Champions event. It\u2019s an annual event that allows us to recognize and award scholarships to deserving student athletes. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs everybody knows, it\u2019s Reliant that helps us power gameday for all the fans that bring the energy every single game for us to be able to do that this upcoming season and beyond go to our original, very special month for us celebrate together.\u201d<\/p>\n