Thomson Exercises Option To Keep RCA On Indy Dome Until '09

Thomson Keeping Its RCA Brand On Indy’s Dome Through ‘09

Indiana-based Thomson, parent of RCA, announced Friday it plans to "accept the first of two five-year options to extend its 10-year contract as name sponsor of the RCA Dome," according to Bill Hornaday of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR, who noted Thomson will pay the city of Indianapolis $1.3M annually for the rights. Thomson last week made the final $1.2M payment under the original, ten-year, $10M deal. Thomson spokesperson Dave Arland: "We had until the end of June before the contract ended. But with all the attention the Colts are getting with the great season they've had, we thought it made sense to go ahead and announce this now." If the Colts "leave the dome for another facility, Thomson has the right to exit its deal." Arland, on whether the company would shift naming rights to another venue: "We have an agreement with the city. If something were to change, certainly we would sit down and negotiate to see whether we think it's worth it" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 1/17).