Polyester polymers are described comprising polymerized units comprising a hydroxy functional aromatic group wherein the hydroxy group has been functionalized with an adhesion promoting group. In some embodiments, the polyester polymer comprises polymerized units have the general structure (A) wherein L1 and L2 are independently divalent linking groups comprising an ester group; and RA is an adhesion promoting group bonded to the oxygen atom by means of an ionic or covalent bond. In other embodiments, film articles, laminates are described and methods of making functionalized polyester polymers are described.