The NHL Oilers have sold Edmonton Coliseum's naming
rights for to Skyreach Equipment Ltd., whose president,
Barry Weaver, is a member of the team's 31-member ownership
group, according to Dan Barnes of the EDMONTON JOURNAL.
Edmonton Coliseum, previously Northlands Coliseum, will be
renamed Skyreach Centre. A source said the five-year deal
is "worth about" C$1M per season to the Oilers and includes
an option for Skyreach, which specializes in aerial work
platforms, to purchase an additional five years. Oilers
President/GM Glen Sather said the team's new ownership
stability helped land the deal. Sather: "We couldn't get
anyone to buy in before. There was always the idea that the
team wasn't going to be here. You've got great continuity
now." The Oilers, who "seem to be on the right financial
path," have already sold all of the luxury suites for next
season and figure to double last year's television and radio
rights revenues by moving them in-house. Skyreach becomes
the Oilers' fifth major sponsor, along with ScotiaBank,
Molson, Chrysler and Telus (EDMONTON JOURNAL, 9/24). The
project "will be phased in as the properties are completed."
The ice will have a Skyreach logo on it and signs will
appear on the arena in approximately six weeks. Weaver: "I
believe this is a great opportunity for Skyreach to increase
its exposure regionally, nationally and internationally"
(Mario Annicchiarico, EDMONTON SUN, 9/24).
