Bridgestone extends name rights to hockey arena

Dec. 16, 2011

The Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL) and Bridgestone Americas Inc. have extended the naming rights for Bridgestone Arena by five years.

Signed in March of 2010, the initial term of the agreement was for five years. With this extension, Bridgestone Americas, which is based in Nashville, Tenn., will have the Bridgestone brand name on the Predators' arena in downtown Nashville through 2019.

The 15-year-old arena was nominated in November for its fifth consecutive Pollstar Venue of the Year Award, with the two highest Pollstar year-end rankings ever occurring in 2010 and 2011. It is also the second busiest venue in the country according to "Venues Today."

"This naming rights partnership between the Predators/Bridgestone Arena and Bridgestone Americas has exceeded everyone’s expectations during its first two years,” says Nashville Predators CEO Jeff Cogen.

“When Bridgestone lent its name to our building, they helped solidify the stability of the team -- keeping the Predators in Nashville -- and showcased the team and the arena as tremendous investments. Both on the ice and off it, the team and facility continue to be very successful, and the performance of the venue since Bridgestone Americas came on board has been exceptional."

Bridgestone Americas CEO and President Gary Garfield says the partnership with the Predators is part of its commitment to Nashville and the community.

"Since Bridgestone Arena first opened, the city has seen significant development that has transformed downtown Nashville into one of the top tourist destinations in the country. The continued development of downtown Nashville, and the prospects of even further development, cements Bridgestone Arena as a cornerstone for economic growth in Middle Tennessee."

Bridgestone Americas is also a partner of the NHL, and has been the title sponsor of the NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic since its inception in 2008. This season’s Bridgestone Winter Classic takes place on Jan. 2, 2012, in Philadelphia when the host Flyers take on the New York Rangers.