With Truist declining to renew a naming-rights deal for BB&T Center, home of the Florida Panthers, the NHL arena will be temporarily known as FLA Live Arena.
The decision came after BB&T and SunTrust merged to form Truist, and the new firm declined to renew a deal with Arena Operating Company, a subsidiary of Sunrise Sports & Entertainment. So Arena Operating Company will shop naming rights for the suburban Miami arena.
“We want to thank the leadership at BB&T now Truist for their loyal support and partnership for the past 11 years,” Panthers chief commercial officer Shawn Thornton said in a press release. “As we move forward in identifying a new naming rights partnership for the arena, we will seek to build on this incredible momentum with an innovative long-term partner that aligns with our culture, brand and growth trajectory as South Florida’s hockey market continues to grow exponentially.”
FLA Live Arena was the first NHL arena to achieve the International WELL Building Institute’s WELL health-safety rating for facility operations and management in December 2020. The facility was recognized by Green Business Certification Inc. for an adherence to guidelines and protocols set by the IWBI to battle COVID-19 and preparedness to safely accommodate fans upon reopening.
Image courtesy Florida Panthers.
