Small Banks with Stadium Naming Rights
December 14, 2012 11:20 AM
Mega-banks dominate the world of naming rights for sports stadiums (think Citi Field, home of the New York Mets). But community banks' names adorn stadiums, too. (Image: BallparkReveiws.com)
Coaches' Training Ground
The Arkansas State Red Wolves are a stepping stone for football coaches, providing talent for Auburn and Mississippi in recent years. The $2.8 billion-asset Liberty Bank of Arkansas bought the naming rights to the Red Wolves' stadium in September. (Image: StadiumJourney.com)
March Madness
College basketball season is heating up. The Murray State Racers were a surprise success in 2011, losing just two games. The college's arena is named for the $580 million-asset Community Financial Services Bank in Benton, Ky. (Image: StadiumJourney.com)
Play Ball!
Minor league and college baseball teams share Provident Bank Park, which opened last year in the Ramapo Mountains near Pomona, N.Y. The $4 billion-asset Provident New York Bancorp owns the naming rights. (Image: BallparkReviews.com)
World's Largest Cocktail Party
The Georgia-Florida college football game, also known as the "World's Largest Cocktail Party," is played in Jacksonville, Fla. The former Gator Bowl is now named for $16.5 billion-asset EverBank Financial. (Image: Bloomberg News)
A New Bridge
Sometimes, a small banks slips in when a bigger bank steps out. The $1.7 billion-asset NewBridge Bancorp bought the naming rights for this minor league stadium in Greensboro, N.C., after First Horizon terminated its agreement. (Image: BallparkReviews.com)
Rodeos, Cher and Wrestling
The Alerus Center in Grand Forks, N.D., named after the $1.2 billion-asset Alerus Financial, is home to the North Dakota Fighting Sioux football team, but has also hosted a Cher concert, wrestling events and rodeos. (Image: North Dakota Tourism Division)
First & Ten
For years, the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team shared a stadium with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings. In 2009, the Gophers got their own place. TCF Bank Stadium is named for $18 billion- asset TCF Financial in Minneapolis. (Image: Munsey & Suppes)
