November 9, 2018 – North Little Rock, Ark. - Verizon Arena announced today that Simmons Bank has acquired the naming rights to the Verizon Arena’s 18,000 seat multi-purpose civic center, located in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Verizon Arena will be renamed in 2019. The deal has a term of 15 years for a total value of $10.5 million.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Simmons Bank, and we are proud to be associated with an organization that does so much for our economy, while providing some of the best entertainment in the region,” said George Makris, Chairman and CEO of Simmons First National Corporation. “Sponsorships are an increasingly important component of our marketing strategy, and naming rights opportunities have only grown in value. It’s a wonderful channel to engage consumers,” he added.
Built in 1999, the Arena has hosted hundreds of top industry artists such as Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, The Eagles, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, George Strait, Garth Brooks, Stevie Wonder and many others. In addition, the Arena has welcomed many family shows and sporting events including Disney on Ice, Cirque Du Soleil, Harlem Globetrotters, Monster Jam and the Arkansas Razorbacks.
“We are very excited about having Simmons Bank as our new naming rights partner,” said Rhett Tucker, Chairman of the Arena Board. “Their investment in our Arena will allow us to make improvements and continue to bring top quality events to Arkansas.”
“This is a great day for the Arena. This partnership will keep our building updated and ready for the future. We look forward to making great music together,” said Michael Marion, General Manager of the Arena.
Verizon Arena sees more than 400,000 guests through its doors each year and averages in the top 35 in ticket sales nationally and the top 70 worldwide for arenas, according to Pollstar Magazine.
About Simmons Bank
Simmons Bank is an Arkansas state-chartered bank that began as a community bank in 1903. Through the decades, Simmons has developed a full suite of financial products and services designed to meet the needs of individual consumers and business customers alike. Simmons has grown steadily to approximately $16.3 billion in assets (as of Sept. 30, 2018) and today operates approximately 200 branch locations throughout Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. Simmons is the subsidiary bank for Simmons First National Corporation (NASDAQ: SFNC), a publicly traded bank holding company headquartered in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. For more information, visit http://www.simmonsbank.com/.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
CAROLINE P. MAKRIS
Simmons Bank
VP/Manager Marketing & Communications
501.944.0518 (mobile)
caroline.makris@simmonsbank.com
JANA DEGEORGE
Verizon Arena
Director of Marketing
501.975.9038 (office)
janderson@verizonarena.com