STADIUM CROWDS: Fans wave hands and cell phones at a Keith Urban concert at Verizon Arena earlier this month. Brian Chilson

Verizon Arena announced today that the naming rights to the 18,000-seat venue in North Little Rock have been secured by Simmons Bank. The arena will be renamed in 2019.

Advertisement

A $10.5 million sponsorship from Simmons Bank, Chairman of the Arena Board Rhett Tucker said in a press release, “will allow us to make improvements and
continue to bring top quality events to Arkansas.” The deal’s term is 15 years long.

Marketing Director Jana DeGeorge told us that the venue’s official new name is still under discussion.

Advertisement

An excerpt from the press release follows:

“This is an exciting opportunity for Simmons Bank, and we are proud to be associated with an organization that does so much for our economy, while providing some of the best entertainment in the region,” said George Makris, Chairman and CEO of Simmons First National Corporation. “Sponsorships are an increasingly important component of our marketing strategy, and naming rights opportunities have only grown in value. It’s a wonderful channel to engage consumers,” he added.

Built in 1999, the Arena has hosted hundreds of top industry artists such as Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, The Eagles, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, George Strait, Garth Brooks, Stevie Wonder and many others. In addition, the Arena has welcomed many family shows and sporting events including Disney on Ice, Cirque Du Soleil, Harlem Globetrotters, Monster Jam and the Arkansas Razorbacks.

“We are very excited about having Simmons Bank as our new naming rights partner,” said Rhett Tucker, Chairman of the Arena Board. “Their investment in our Arena will allow us to make improvements and continue to bring top quality events to Arkansas.”

“This is a great day for the Arena. This partnership will keep our building updated and ready for the future. We look forward to making great music together,” said Michael Marion, General Manager of the Arena. Verizon Arena sees more than 400,000 guests through its doors each year and averages in the top 35 in ticket sales nationally and the top 70 worldwide for arenas, according to Pollstar Magazine.

50 years of fearless reporting and still going strong

Be a part of something bigger and join the fight for truth by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times. For 50 years, our progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock has been tackling powerful forces through our tough, determined, and feisty journalism. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 email subscribers, it's clear that our readers value our commitment to great journalism. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing or donating – as little as $1 –, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be supporting our efforts to hire more writers and expand our coverage. Take a stand with the Arkansas Times and make a difference with your subscription or donation today.

Previous article The populus did not regnat on term limits Next article Simmons Bank buys naming rights to Verizon Arena for $10.5 million