Car dealer buys naming rights to Downtown Bloomington arena

Posted on June 22, 2017
Grossinger Motors in Normal has purchased the naming rights for the arena in Downtown Bloomington.

 

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – The Coliseum in downtown Bloomington is now Grossinger Motors Arena.

VenuWorks, the management company running the city-owned facility, announced Thursday the auto dealership at 1430 Fort Jesse Rd. in Normal purchased the naming rights after U.S. Cellular decided not to renew its contract.

Grossinger will pay $175,000 in each of the first five-years of the 10-year agreement. Co-owner Caroline Grossinger said attaching Grossinger Motors to the arena is the best way to raise its profile and strengthen the community.

“We are so excited to now have this new partnership, which will involve the arts, the sports, and every which way we can in the community,” said Grossinger.

After five years, VenuWorks executive director Lynn Cannon said Grossinger can opt out of the contract, continue the agreement without changes, or renegotiate its terms.

“If we’re doing so well that we are driving business left and right, and Caroline (Grossinger) is selling cars like crazy, then that may change the market,” said Cannon.

“We’ll be able to look at the market place at that time and see where we go,” Cannon added.

U.S. Cellular also paid the city $175-thousand dollars annually for the naming rights.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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