EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel announced Wednesday that the Tri-State Ford Dealers have acquired the naming rights for the new Evansville arena, which will now be named the Ford Center.
The University of Evansville men’s and women’s basketball teams will play all home games in the new facility beginning with exhibition play in late October.
“For a global company like Ford to decide that a marketing investment in Evansville is money well spent, well that just confirms that we’re a community on the rise and that we’ve got a stellar facility,” Weinzapfel said.
The naming rights agreement calls for the Tri-State Ford Dealers to pay the City of Evansville more than $4.2 million over a 10-year period. The Ford Center is expected to draw more than 300,000 fans in its first year. Aside from serving as the home court for UE, the facility will host other diverse sporting events.
Ford Senior Account Supervisor commented on the endeavor by his company. “The Ford Dealers throughout the Tri-State Region are excited to partner with the City of Evansville in becoming the naming rights partner of this fabulous facility.”
