Lions eye naming rights deal

Everything seemed to be coming together right after Jan. 1.

Orlando City was on track with construction of its $155 million, 25,500-seat stadium downtown and CEO Alex Leitão was optimistic about negotiations for the naming rights.

“I’m pretty confident that we are very close,” Leitão told the Orlando Sentinel on Jan. 2, adding the club was in advanced talks with one potential partner. “Could be this week.”

But the announcement came.

Orlando City Stadium has been the name on all press releases and renderings and it’s possible that name will stand when the season opens there March 5.

Rob Parker, Orlando City’s vice president of corporate partnerships, said previous negotiations fell apart and discussions are now ongoing with multiple potential partners.

“At the time, we were heading into contracts with two potential never