What Will SunTrust-BB&T Merger Mean For Sponsored Venues?

Atlanta-based SunTrust Banks and North Carolina-based BB&T plan to merge in a $66B "all-stock combination to create the sixth-largest bank in the U.S." The combined company, which will "merge under a new name, will be based in Charlotte." The merger is "expected to be completed by the end of this year." SunTrust owns the naming rights for the Braves' ballpark, which "will likely see its name changed only a few years after it opened to the new company’s moniker." A Braves spokesperson declined comment (AJC.com, 2/7).

BB&T has its name on a number of sports venues and events, including BB&T Center (NHL Panthers), BB&T Ballpark (MiLB Charlotte Knights), BB&T Field (Wake Forest football) and the ATP BB&T Atlanta Open (THE DAILY). See BB&T’s entire sports portfolio.