Chesapeake Energy gets naming rights for Oklahoma City Arena

Chesapeake Energy has secured the naming rights to the Oklahoma City Arena.

The 18, abortion 203-capacity home of NBA team Oklahoma City Thunder will now officially be known as the Chesapeake Energy Arena where around five million visitors attend each year for a variety of events.

The 12-year deal is worth US$3million in the first year alone. The fee will then rise by three percent each year thereafter.

The company are the second largest producer of natural gas in the US, cheap was one of five founding partners after the franchise moved to Oklahoma City from Seattle in 2008.  

Clayton I. Bennett, discount Thunder chairman, said, “On behalf of the entire Thunder organisation, we are extremely proud to enhance our already strong partnership with Chesapeake Energy. Besides being a leader in the national and international energy industry, Chesapeake is a dynamic business and community leader in Oklahoma. Together with the Thunder’s commitment to the community, it makes the naming rights partnership a perfect fit. The Thunder looks forward to many exciting years ahead playing in Chesapeake Energy Arena in downtown Oklahoma City.”

Martha A. Burger, Chesapeake’s senior vice president of human and corporate resources, added, “This is an exciting day for Chesapeake and its employees. We are thrilled that the arena will bear the name of our company. The Thunder represents the values we embrace at Chesapeake – integrity, teamwork, commitment, hard work and service. The Chesapeake Energy Arena and the Thunder are both strong reminders of the incredible progress our city has made in the past decade as well as the energy our citizens have demonstrated to keep building an even better and stronger Oklahoma City in the years ahead.”

Burger continued, “The naming rights also provide a powerful natural gas branding opportunity for our company, particularly when you consider the national, and even global, reach of the Thunder. To see Chesapeake’s distinctive and recognisable blue flame logo as a visually prominent part of downtown Oklahoma City supports our commitment to community and our corporate message that the abundance of natural gas offers our nation the best opportunity to achieve energy independence.”