Arena naming rights expands Rogers thirteen-year sponsorship
of the Edmonton Oilers and strengthens company's sports leadership
in Canada
Part of Company's $700 million
multi-year investment in Alberta
EDMONTON, Dec. 3, 2013 /CNW/ - Rogers Communications,
Rexall Sports Corporation and the Edmonton Oilers today announced
the new home of the Edmonton Oilers will be named Rogers
Place. A milestone for the new downtown Edmonton arena, Rogers Place is set to
open its doors for the 2016 NHL season.
This announcement extends the unprecedented 13-year
telecommunications sponsorship deal signed at the beginning of this
season which includes extensive brand and advertising placements,
arena signage, concourse, rink, in-ice, in-bowl and in-game
applications. Rogers is also the presenting sponsor of Oilers
television broadcasts, the Oilers Website and the Oilers Mobile
App. As Canada's largest provider
of wireless voice and data communications services, Rogers will
leverage its extensive network and multiplatform content
investments to enhance fans' experiences of the games.
"Earlier this year we were proud to announce a multi-year
partnership with Rogers that was all about creating a superior fan
experience utilizing Rogers products and services. Today's
announcement helps make the new arena a reality and underscores its
potential to make downtown Edmonton a magnet for our community and for
new investment by world-class companies like Rogers," said
Daryl Katz, Founder and Chairman of
Rexall Sports Corporation. "I want to thank Rogers, our fans, the
City of Edmonton and our many
community partners for their support as we move ahead with what we
believe will be a transformational development for our city."
"Today's announcement builds on our long-term commitment to the
Edmonton Oilers, its hockey fans
and our investment in Alberta,"
said John Boynton, Executive
Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer, Rogers Communications.
"Rogers Place will be one of the most technologically
enabled stadiums in North America;
we look forward to bringing passionate fans a connected game
experience powered by the country's fastest LTE network."
Rogers announced on October
1st a $700M
commitment over the next four years to further enhance and expand
Rogers LTE - Canada's fastest LTE
network, open additional retail locations, fuel business growth and
continue to build its presence in sports in Edmonton and across Alberta.
Congratulating the Edmonton Oilers and Rogers, Mayor
Don Iveson said, "This is a great
day for Edmonton's downtown and
our city. Rogers Place will become a beacon in our downtown,
one that will foster a new sense of energy that will further
attract development and investment in the heart of our city."
"Based upon recent announcements, Rogers will be the leading
brand in Canadian hockey for many years to come. Oil Country is
very proud to have Rogers Place, sure to be Canada's most iconic new arena, as our team's
future home in 2016. Rogers Place will serve as a catalyst
for the next era of corporate investment in world class
entertainment in downtown Edmonton," said Patrick LaForge, President and Chief Operating
Officer, Edmonton Oilers. "Our long term partnership with
Rogers is a natural fit. They share our commitment to be an
industry leader and innovator of enhanced fan experiences and
commitment to community development."
Today's announcement strengthens Rogers' sports leadership in
Canada. Rogers owns the naming
rights to Rogers Centre stadium in Toronto, Rogers Arena in Vancouver and now adds Rogers Place to
its roster. Rogers has a 37.5% equity stake in Maple Leaf Sports
& Entertainment, 100% ownership of the Toronto Blue Jays, and
long-term media agreements with the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA, MLS, NCAA,
Rogers Cup, UFC, international soccer, and more. (see "Fact Sheet"
addendum)
For more information, to download photos of Rogers Place
click on www.rogersplace.com/media
About Rogers Communications
Rogers Communications is a diversified Canadian communications and
media company. We are Canada's
largest provider of wireless voice and data communications services
and one of Canada's leading
providers of cable television, high speed internet and telephony
services. Through Rogers Media we are engaged in radio and
television broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade
publications, sports entertainment, and digital media. We are
publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and
RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For further
information about the Rogers group of companies, please visit
rogers.com.
SOURCE Rogers Communications Inc.
Image with caption: "A glimpse of the future Rogers Place arena
in Edmonton, Alberta; set to open
its doors for the 2016 NHL season. (CNW Group/Rogers Communications
Inc.)". Image available at:
http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131203_C7024_PHOTO_EN_34247.jpg