Trail Blazers Seeking Corporate Partner to Secure Arena Naming Rights
The Portland Trail Blazers and the Rose Garden, both affiliates of Vulcan, Inc., have initiated the process of locating a corporate partner to secure long-term naming rights for the downtown Portland, Ore., arena, Trail Blazers President Larry Miller announced today.
The Trail Blazers have begun initial dialogues with several interested Portland companies, as well as regional and national entities, about investing in a unique partnership opportunity that is being presented for the first time since the Rose Garden opened in 1995.
“The timing is right to present this opportunity,” Miller said, “and to locate a partner to Rise With Us and ensure our continued growth, competitiveness and viability, and to help shape the vision for the development and sustainability of the Rose Quarter campus for the betterment of our community.”
Sarah Mensah, Trail Blazers Senior Vice President, Marketing and Sales, said a deal is sought in time for the 2008-09 season, with formal discussions scheduled to begin this January with interested companies.
“Our brand conveys a spirit that resonates with many companies,” Mensah said, “With a passionate, dedicated fan base in the Northwest, and a young nucleus that portends a very promising era, we’ve had a very positive response to the initial feelers we’ve put out.”
The Rose Garden plays host to more than 160 events annually, including Trail Blazers basketball and LumberJax (PIL) lacrosse. Additionally, the building is one of the nation’s leading concert venues, with a booking schedule that already includes Bruce Springsteen, Celine Dion and Blue Man Group in 2008.
With a capacity of 19,980 for basketball and more than 18,000 for other events, the Rose Garden remains a state-of-the-art facility. In the last three years, more than $25 million has been spent in capital improvements, including a high-definition center-hung scoreboard & HD control room, a new sound system, newly remodeled suite and club levels, a party suite that accommodates up to 100 guests, a new courtside club and a new restaurant – The Pyramid Taproom at Schonely’s Place – on the main concourse.
“The goal is to once again find a partner whose core values match our own,” said Vulcan Sports and Entertainment CEO Tod Leiweke, who was instrumental in negotiating the 15-year deal for the naming rights at Qwest Field, home of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, in 2004. “By so doing, we can work together to develop the Rose Quarter and increase our commitment to service and community throughout the entire Northwest region.”
The Rose Garden is the crown jewel of the Rose Quarter, an entertainment district in downtown Portland that encompasses the Rose Garden, 12,000-seat Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the Theater of the Clouds, the 40,000 square-foot Exhibit Hall and The Commons, Portland’s largest outdoor public plaza.
The Trail Blazers have begun initial dialogues with several interested Portland companies, as well as regional and national entities, about investing in a unique partnership opportunity that is being presented for the first time since the Rose Garden opened in 1995.
“The timing is right to present this opportunity,” Miller said, “and to locate a partner to Rise With Us and ensure our continued growth, competitiveness and viability, and to help shape the vision for the development and sustainability of the Rose Quarter campus for the betterment of our community.”
Sarah Mensah, Trail Blazers Senior Vice President, Marketing and Sales, said a deal is sought in time for the 2008-09 season, with formal discussions scheduled to begin this January with interested companies.
“Our brand conveys a spirit that resonates with many companies,” Mensah said, “With a passionate, dedicated fan base in the Northwest, and a young nucleus that portends a very promising era, we’ve had a very positive response to the initial feelers we’ve put out.”
The Rose Garden plays host to more than 160 events annually, including Trail Blazers basketball and LumberJax (PIL) lacrosse. Additionally, the building is one of the nation’s leading concert venues, with a booking schedule that already includes Bruce Springsteen, Celine Dion and Blue Man Group in 2008.
With a capacity of 19,980 for basketball and more than 18,000 for other events, the Rose Garden remains a state-of-the-art facility. In the last three years, more than $25 million has been spent in capital improvements, including a high-definition center-hung scoreboard & HD control room, a new sound system, newly remodeled suite and club levels, a party suite that accommodates up to 100 guests, a new courtside club and a new restaurant – The Pyramid Taproom at Schonely’s Place – on the main concourse.
“The goal is to once again find a partner whose core values match our own,” said Vulcan Sports and Entertainment CEO Tod Leiweke, who was instrumental in negotiating the 15-year deal for the naming rights at Qwest Field, home of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, in 2004. “By so doing, we can work together to develop the Rose Quarter and increase our commitment to service and community throughout the entire Northwest region.”
The Rose Garden is the crown jewel of the Rose Quarter, an entertainment district in downtown Portland that encompasses the Rose Garden, 12,000-seat Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the Theater of the Clouds, the 40,000 square-foot Exhibit Hall and The Commons, Portland’s largest outdoor public plaza.
