Colonial Life, University of South Carolina extend naming rights partnership

Colonial Life Arena pact builds national brand recognition

COLUMBIA, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Colonial Life and the University of South Carolina have agreed to extend the Colonial Life Arena naming rights sponsorship for another 10 years. The renewed agreement, which runs Oct. 1, 2015 through Sept. 30, 2025, was announced at a news conference at noon today at the arena.

The $6.5 million agreement includes exterior and interior signage at the Colonial Life Arena as well as promotional packages with the Gamecock athletics program.

“The sponsorship represents both a major ongoing commitment to this community and a significant component of our brand-building efforts,” said Tim Arnold, Colonial Life’s president and CEO. “Colonial Life is in an elite group participating in a limited number of collegiate naming rights opportunities nationwide. The growing success of the University of South Carolina’s women’s basketball program and the major talent acts the arena attracts are getting increasing national attention.”

The $65 million Colonial Life Arena is the largest building ever constructed at the University of South Carolina, with more than 330,000 square feet. It’s the 10th largest on-campus basketball arena in the country and has hosted an estimated 1,500 events with 6.6 million people in attendance. In addition to serving as the home of Gamecock men’s and women’s basketball, the Colonial Life Arena also has developed into one of the Southeast’s premier entertainment venues. It was the nation’s third-highest grossing university arena last year, based on concert and event sales.

The company became the University of South Carolina’s first corporate naming rights sponsor in October 2003. Other partnerships with the university have included the Colonial Life Fellowship Fund with the Arnold School of Public Health, the Darla Moore School of Business capital campaign fund, placement of a major sculpture at the Moore School, the Colonial Life Scholars program, student internships and career opportunities for many graduates. Colonial Life has a long history of business, civic and charitable support, with a focus on education, health and the arts.

“The commitment made by Colonial Life as our naming rights sponsor reinforces the value and prominence of the Colonial Life Arena as an athletic and entertainment venue,” said Ray Tanner, University of South Carolina director of athletics. “This partnership will help ensure we can continue to bring the highest quality events to visitors.”

About Colonial Life

Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company is a market leader in providing financial protection benefits through the workplace, including disability, life, accident, dental, cancer, critical illness and hospital confinement indemnity insurance. The company’s benefit services and education, innovative enrollment technology and personal service support more than 80,000 businesses and organizations, representing more than 3 million of America’s workers and their families. For more information visit www.coloniallife.com or connect with the company at www.facebook.com/coloniallifebenefits, www.twitter.com/coloniallife and www.linkedin.com/company/colonial-life.

About the University of South Carolina

The University of South Carolina (USC) was established in 1801 and is a full-service, state-supported research university that includes the 358-acre Columbia campus and seven regional campuses with a total full-time student body population of more than 46,000 and 2,100 full-time faculty members. Located in the capital city of Columbia in the geographic center of the state, USC’s main campus is part of a thriving metropolitan community of more than 450,000 inhabitants. USC offers a broad spectrum of educational opportunities with 14 colleges and schools that encompass 324 undergraduate and graduate degree-granting programs. USC confers 40% of all bachelors, professional, and graduate degrees awarded in public institutions in South Carolina. For more information, visit www.sc.edu or connect with USC at www.facebook.com/UofSC or www.twitter.com/UofSC.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150708005994/en/

Colonial Life
Jeanne Reynolds, 803-678-6274
[email protected]
or
University of South Carolina
Charles Bloom, 803-777-8536
[email protected]

Source: Colonial Life

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