Premier Southern California Arena Is Now Honda Center
Name change made official at unveiling ceremony in Anaheim

Amid screeching tires from an Indy Car driven by Danica Patrick, booming pyrotechnics and colorful confetti, Southern California's premier entertainment and sports venue became Honda Center today.

Photos: Honda

The name change was made official by executives from Anaheim Arena Management, LLC (AAM), the management company of Honda Center, and American Honda Motor Co., Inc. during a ceremony in the arena parking lot. Danica Patrick, 2005 IndyCar Rookie of the Year and driver of the #16 Rahal Letterman Dallara Honda, made a stunning entrance in her IRL race car. At the podium were Henry and Susan Samueli, owners of AAM and the Anaheim Ducks; arena President and CEO Tim Ryan; American Honda Senior Vice President, Auto Operations John Mendel and Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle.

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The arena naming-rights deal is the first such agreement for Honda and the first name change for the 13-year-old venue. The agreement, which has an initial term of 15 years with the opportunity for a 10-year extension, was originally announced on July 19 by AAM and Honda.

Unveiled today during the fanfare was a Honda Center logo on the southeast corner of the arena, measuring approximately 74.5 feet wide by 20 feet tall. It is one of four corner signs that will be visible to passengers traveling in more than 95 million cars annually on Katella Avenue and the Orange Freeway (57). (Source: CalTrans and City of Anaheim)