Home of NBA’s Atlanta Hawks to be named State Farm Arena

state farm logo
State Farm’s iconic logo will be prominently seen at the home of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks. The company acquired the arena’s naming rights, at a reported cost of $175 million. (State Farm graphic)

 

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Fans of the Atlanta Hawks in the National Basketball Association won’t be able to escape the presence of Bloomington’s own State Farm Insurance.

The company and the NBA club announced Wednesday they have reached a 20 year deal to rename the rennovated venue State Farm Arena.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported State Farm is paying the team $175 million to acquire the naming rights.

The Atlanta area is one of State Farm’s three regional hubs, employing more than 6,000 people in metro Atlanta.

State Farm Chairman and CEO Michael Tipsord said in a statement that the naming rights symbolize the company’s pledge to build its brand locally and nationally, and ultimately it will help to grow State Farm.

Team owner Tony Ressler said in a statement that State Farm is one of the country’s most recognizable and civic-minded organizations.

Formerly known as Philips Arena, the facility has undergone a $192.5 million rennovation over the past two years.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…