Southwest Airlines is an NHL sponsor, and that could mean that we someday will "see an MGM-Southwest Airlines Arena" if the league expands to Las Vegas, according to Richard Velotta of the LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL. Southwest President, CEO & BOD Chair Gary Kelly said that the airline "has never put its corporate name on a sports arena despite having sponsorship ties and regularly running" TV ads during NFL, NBA and NHL games. Kelly said of naming rights, "We’ve never done that. Never say never, but we’ve never done that. ... Part of our purpose is to be friendly and reliable, but also low-cost, so we’ve never thought that was the most cost-effective way to connect with a community." He added, "Our purpose is to connect people to what’s important in their lives and were looking for an opportunity for our people to connect with our customers. Sports has always been a major passion point for cities and communities and music is another. ... Music is another vehicle to really connect with people" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 2/17).
