City of Bloomington exploring new naming rights for downtown arena

Posted on January 23, 2024
arena
City leaders plan to unveil the new ECHL team at a Wednesday morning press conference inside Grossinger Motors Arena. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – A leader in Bloomington’s city government reports that the name of Grossinger Motors Arena will change.

As part of a proposed contract with the ECHL, city leaders are exploring a new naming rights holder for the arena.

“We will go out and solicit opportunities for people to purchase naming rights,” Bloomington Deputy City Manager Billy Tyus told WJBC. ” With that, the city will retain 80% of the naming rights revenue, and the team will receive 20%.”

Grossinger Motors signed off on a contract for naming rights in 2017 worth $850,000 over the span of the contract.

City leaders hope the new team could attract a new naming rights holder with new sponsors.
“You’re seeing events regularly now. We’ve got a whole slate of events scheduled now. And now, what will happen is, like I said, it makes it easier to go out and sell naming rights and sponsorships, frankly,” added Tyus.

City leaders report the new team could bring in north of $20 million over two decades.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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