Lexington Legends ballpark to get a new name

Applebee's Park, home to the Lexington Legends, will soon get a new name, but officials aren't saying just yet when that change will happen.

Thomas & King, which owns the local Applebee's franchises, has "decided to step down as the official naming rights sponsor of the Lexington Legends and Applebee's Park," according to a press release sent out Thursday afternoon. The search for a new naming rights partner is underway, the release said.

The ballpark has been known as Applebee's Park since April 2001, when Applebee's and Legends officials signed a 10-year sponsorship deal.

Alan Stein, president and CEO for the Legends, declined to say why the change was underway or comment on specifics of seeking a new sponsor Thursday night, but he said more details about the decision would be available at an event on Monday to which the press was invited.

This story was originally published December 9, 2010 at 9:20 PM with the headline "Lexington Legends ballpark to get a new name."