U.S. Airways and merger partner American Airlines "have decided not to renew their naming rights deal for the US Airways Center in downtown Phoenix," and the arena "will have to find a new sponsor by next fall," according to Dawn Gilbertson of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. U.S. Airways' 10-year contract, which began in '05, runs through next October, but the airlines said that the Suns, who manage the arena, "have the option to seek a new sponsor before then." American said that it is "relinquishing its renewal rights because the US Airways name will be phased out as soon as the airlines fully combine their operations, and American already has its name on two NBA arenas" in Dallas and Miami. The company in an employee newsletter wrote the NBA "has rules pertaining to the unique names of each arena and we have long-term deals in place with Dallas and Miami." Suns President Jason Rowley said that the franchise has "already had preliminary interest from potential corporate sponsors who knew the naming rights might be available after the merger." He "declined to name" any of the prospective partners. He added that the Suns will "take their time in finding a new partner to put their name on the building" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 9/4).
