NEW YORK — The New York Yankees and Bank of America have ended months of negotiations on a sponsorship agreement. The decision is a result of the financial industry's struggles and decision to accept aid from the federal government.

While the sides never discussed naming rights to the team's new $1.5 billion stadium, they had talked about the possibility of a 20-year deal that would have included signage, special events and tickets.

Yankees spokesperson Alice McGillion said Thursday that with the downturn in the economy, "we have determined that it is better to enter into a traditional business arrangement with a financial institution."