KeyBank has signed a larger sponsorship deal with the Pacers that will make them the team’s “Official Banking Partner” and rename the lower-level suites floor to the “KeyBank Suite Level.”
The five-year deal was announced at a press conference held at the top of the lower bowl of Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Wednesday (July 19).
“This partnership is a huge, huge up-step here,” said Rick Fuson, the President & COO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment.
“The partnership that we have with [KeyBank] has been tremendous for a long time. In our hometown, and KeyBank being such an important part of our community, you all have really stepped up. We can’t do it without our season-ticket holders, our ticket holders, and especially without our sponsors — and that’s why we’re able to continue to be the great franchise that we are today.”
An example of a good partnership was on display just before the press conference began. Fuson’s reading glasses had broke. Standing beside him was Aaron Reitz, the KeyBank Indianapolis Market President. Reitz reached into his pocket and offered his glasses to Fuson.
In marketing campaigns and signage, KeyBank can now be referred to as the “Official Banking Partner” and the “Banking Home of the Indiana Pacers.”
The Pacers’ partnership with KeyBank began during the 2011-12 season.
“We wanted to make this a crawl, walk, run strategy. Start small, figure out what works, and end up in running mode,” Reitz said. “And I think as of today, officially, we are for sure in running mode.”
This five-year deal includes the naming rights to the lower-level suites, in-area signage, three ATMs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse (replacing Chase), player appearances, sponsorships for the Pacers Foundation’s annual golf outing and Masquerade, plus special benefits for suite holders. And “Deal or No Deal” will continued to be played during an in-game timeout.
“It’s very important in corporate America today to properly align your brand with other brands that have similar cultures and similar customer and client experience, and this is a perfect fit for that,” Reitz added.
