By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
The home arena of the WNBA Las Vegas Aces has a new name under a multi-year naming rights deal between Mandalay Bay hotel-casino and Anheuser-Busch.
The venue is now called, Michelob ULTRA Arena.
Mandalay Bay’s owner, Las Vegas-based MGM Resorts International, negotiated the agreement to rename the 12,000-seat venue.
Anheuser-Busch can sponsor various activations and exclusive on-property special events through the duration of the agreement.
Mandalay Bay’s arena is used for other events besides Aces home games. It also hosts concerts and boxing matches, for example. It has hosted events like Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events, Latin GRAMMYs, NHL Awards, Latin Billboard Awards, International Swimming League’s world finals, Miss USA pageant, and the WNBA All-Star game.
“We’re pleased to welcome Anheuser-Busch, a company we have great admiration for, as our naming rights partner at Mandalay Bay,” said Chuck Bowling, Mandalay Bay’s president and COO. “As the leader in the entertainment industry, we look forward to working with the Anheuser-Busch team in our shared commitment to providing guests unforgettable entertainment experiences.”
Matt Davis, head of U.S. Sports Marketing for Anheuser-Busch, said, “Las Vegas is one of the world’s most exciting sports and entertainment destinations, and Mandalay Bay is regularly in the midst of all of that excitement. As the world returns to traveling and enjoying entertainment, we look forward to all of the events to come at the Michelob ULTRA Arena.”
In 2018, the arena completed a venue update with a new center-hung scoreboard, locker rooms, technology and lighting system. LVSportsBiz.com reported the arena received about $10 million worth of improvements.
The Aces used to be owned by MGM Resorts International. But the hotel-casino and entertainment company has sold the WNBA franchise to Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis only a month ago.