Bankers Life branding and signage will likely remain at the Pacers' arena throughout this seaosnNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Pacers Sports & Entertainment officials "don't plan to sign a new naming-rights partner for Bankers Life Fieldhouse until after this NBA season, even though the existing sponsorship for the venue expired in June," according to Mickey Shuey of the INDIANAPOLIS BUSINESS JOURNAL. Pacers Senior VP and Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Todd Taylor said that the arena "will retain the Bankers Life moniker and signage until a new sponsor is signed." Taylor added that PS&E "hopes to pin down another multimillion-dollar sponsorship deal before the first phase" of a $360M renovation to the venue that begins next summer. The new partner "could be announced as construction begins," with the deal taking effect prior to next season. Taylor said that there are "multiple options on the table ... but PS&E is in no rush to ink a deal." He added that the Pacers organization "hopes to use the upcoming renovations as a marketing opportunity for the arena's new name." Experts have "speculated that the Pacers may try to get a deal with a company with a large local presence, such as Salesforce." The Pacers and Salesforce have "previously declined to comment on speculation they may be discussing a naming-rights deal." PS&E is "being assisted in the search" by Van Wagner Sports & Entertainment (IBJ.com, 10/24).
