Superdome gets renamed "Mercedes-Benz Superdome" - WAFB 9 News Baton Rouge, Louisiana News, Weather, Sports

It was made official Tuesday afternoon. The Louisiana Superdome is now the "Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Gov. Bobby Jindal joined Saints owner Tom Benson and Ernst Leib, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, to announce a 10-year agreement between the New Orleans Saints and the automaker.

"This announcement today means we are gaining the partnership of a world-class company while generating savings for Louisiana taxpayers," Jindal said. "This partnership agreement is estimated to significantly reduce or eliminate taxpayer funding currently spent to support the Saints."

"I am thrilled to be able to announce a winning and long-term partnership between the Saints and Mercedes-Benz," Benson added. "We felt strongly it was essential that if we were to offer the name of our building to a company, it would be one that all of our fans and the state of Louisiana would be proud of."

The new name marks the first time the stadium has been linked with a naming-rights sponsor.

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