The number one sports venue in America will keep its name. Conseco is not changing the name of the 12-year-old landmark that opened on November 6, 1999 downtown Indianapolis.
CNO Financial Group, formerly known as Conseco said executives went back and forth on whether to change the arena’s name or not.
Although they are no longer using the Conseco name in business, CNO spokesman Tony Zehnder tells the Indianapolis Business Journal that it would too costly for new fieldhouse signs, displays and rebranding.
It is a very wise decision by CNO executives to leave the fieldhouse name alone. The Pacers Radio Network broadcasts already sound goofy enough when Mark Boyle leads into a break with, “This is the CNO Financial Group, Pacers Radio Network.”
NBA players and teams consistently agree that Conseco Fieldhouse is their favorite gym to play in. Not only is it relatively new, but it also was well-designed and captures the history and tradition of basketball in Indiana.
Conseco’s brand is strong in the eyes of teams, broadcasters, and players. When you brand something so special like the fieldhouse, it would not be a wise decision to negate the impact the brand has already made.
CNO Financial Group signed a 20-year, $40 million dollar contract in 1999 for the naming-rights to the new home of the Indiana Pacers.