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.
.
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)
From the air, a Honda Center sign
measuring approximately 157 feet wide and 24 feet tall will be
visible on the roof of the arena. All signs will be illuminated
at night.