News

Artificial Intelligence Company Scores Contract to Brand Military Training Center's Name

AI company BigBear.ai becomes first to secure naming rights partnership with an NFL team, aiming to utilize technology to improve fan experiences at venues.

, and Administrator

2025 September 4 . 10:26 PM

2 min read

Local Artificial Intelligence Company Secures Naming Rights for Military Training Center

Artificial Intelligence Company Scores Contract to Brand Military Training Center's Name

In a groundbreaking move, AI firm BigBear.ai has become the first AI company to partner with an NFL team for venue naming rights. The Washington Commanders have signed a multiyear deal, renaming their training facility as the BigBear.ai Performance Center.

Located in Ashburn, Va., the BigBear.ai Performance Center boasts four grass fields, an indoor turf field, team meeting rooms, strength training and recovery facilities, and an in-house content studio. The Commanders' home games are played at Northwest Stadium, which is part of a 180-acre retail, housing, and entertainment development in the southeast part of the district.

The annual value of the Washington Commanders' training facility agreement with BigBear.ai ranks in the top quartile of NFL training facility agreements. The Commanders' ownership has invested more than $25 million towards upgrades for the BigBear.ai Performance Center since 2023.

BigBear.ai's stock has tripled over the past year, with a market cap of $2 billion. The company, headquartered in McLean, Va., is also set to serve as the team's practice jersey sponsor and be a featured partner throughout the season.

Mark Clouse, Commanders president, stated that the partnership with BigBear.ai allows for the elevation of the player experience and positions the BigBear.ai Performance Center as one of the premier training facilities in the NFL. CEO Kevin McAleenan, of BigBear.ai, called this partnership with the Commanders the first in a series of "decisive moves" that will "unlock the next chapter of growth."

The planned stadium for the Commanders is a 65,000-seat domed stadium on the site of RFK Stadium. The Washington, D.C. city council has voted to support a $3.8 billion, mixed-used stadium district. A final vote on taxpayer funding for the stadium is set for Sept. 17.

BigBear.ai will explore ways its technology can enhance the fan experience at the Washington Commanders' games. The company and the team are also planning programs involving military personnel.

As of the latest 12 months, BigBear.ai's revenue was $153 million, with a net loss of $444 million. Despite the net loss, the Washington Commanders ranked 10th at $7.47 billion in Sportico's recent NFL team valuations.

This partnership marks BigBear.ai's first sports sponsorship, signalling a potential new direction for the AI company. With the Commanders' home games and training facilities now bearing the BigBear.ai name, the future looks promising for both parties.