SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Onondaga County War Memorial Arena has a new name — the Upstate Medical University Arena at Onondaga County War Memorial.
Onondaga County, Upstate Medical University, and the Syracuse Crunch announced an 11-year sponsorship agreement that includes the naming-rights deal.
The sponsorship also includes health programming and Upstate’s continued sponsorship of the Syracuse Crunch.
(Sponsored)
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Over 11 years, the total cost of the arena naming rights is $2,778,236 and the cost for the continued Crunch sponsorship portion is $2,022,594, the Syracuse Crunch said in a Friday news release.
The title sponsor of the Onondaga County War Memorial is the first in the building’s 68-year history.
Officials unveiled the deal during a press event inside the War Memorial on Friday afternoon.
About the deal
In addition to Upstate’s name on major exterior and interior signage, it will be used on websites, social-media outlets, tickets, television and radio broadcasts and other promotional materials. The agreement also includes a foundation established by the Crunch to support initiatives for veterans. The first-year cost for the naming rights portion of the agreement is $228,000.
The agreement also provides Upstate with year-round use of the venue as a site for health programming for the community and special-interest groups, such as veterans and youth.
The other element of the agreement is the continuation of an existing 15-year sponsorship between the Syracuse Crunch and Upstate.
It provides Upstate with opportunities to sponsor hockey games and related events to raise awareness of various health issues, such as “Shine A Light on Lung Cancer” and “Pink in the Rink” for breast cancer.
The deal also includes Upstate’s designation as the official hospital of the Syracuse Crunch. The first-year cost for the sponsorship package is $166,464.
The Crunch will also coordinate with the War Memorial subcommittee to make a monetary donation during each year of the naming-rights partnership to assist veterans with housing, in-home care, medical supplies, food, and continued education.
Building history
The Onondaga County War Memorial Arena opened in 1951 as a multi-purpose auditorium in the U.S.
In its history, the arena has hosted some of the most well-known musical acts from Frank Sinatra to Bruce Springsteen and served as home to the NBA’s Syracuse Nationals, NLL’s Syracuse Smash, and several AHL franchises.
The building was designated as a state and national landmark in 1988 and received its first complete renovation in 1993 with the addition of The Oncenter.
In 2018, the War Memorial Arena received a major renovation, including the addition of six luxury suites, the premier All Who Served Club, a new scoreboard, and updates to the facility.
The Crunch have been the primary tenant of the venue since coming to Syracuse in 1994.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com
