US Airways Center to Debut in January

New 10-year partnership renames America West U·S Airways Center in downtown Phoenix

PHOENIX – In January, the doors will open at the US Airways Center, formerly U·S Airways Center, in downtown Phoenix. The new 10-year agreement follows the successful merger between America West Airlines and US Airways, completed September 27

The naming conversion is scheduled to take place over the next few months, and plans call for it to be completed and unveiled shortly after the first of the year. Designs are currently under review with the City of Phoenix. Until then, the arena will continue to operate as U·S Airways Center.

“Because of the comprehensive and dramatic enhancements completed over the past few years, today we really have a state-of-the-art building again compared to the one that opened in 1992,” said Suns Chairman and CEO Jerry Colangelo. “It is the sports and entertainment facility of the future, so it is most appropriate that it be identified with the airline of the future in name and spirit.”

“Since its inception in 1992, U·S Airways Center has been a great source of pride to our employees and now a much larger employee base can see US Airways’ commitment to the Phoenix community and the Suns organization,” said US Airways Chairman, President and CEO Doug Parker. “As the hometown airline of Phoenix, we are excited that the US Airways Center will be both a symbol of our future and a tribute to the proud history of our airline.”

The arena is owned by the City of Phoenix and managed by a subsidiary of Suns Legacy Partners, owners of the Phoenix Suns (NBA), Phoenix Mercury (WNBA) and the Phoenix Roadrunners (ECHL) hockey team. In addition to those teams, the 19,000-seat, award-winning venue hosts 200 events a year including the Arizona Rattlers (AFL), concerts, the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus, Disney ice shows, other family shows, sporting events, and conventions. More than two million guests attend events annually.

"We're not just writing a new chapter in the book on Downtown Phoenix," said Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, "we're writing a whole new book." "With the expanded Phoenix Civic Plaza convention center, light rail, a new Arizona State University campus and a host of other residential, retail and business projects, the US Airways Center will continue to be at the heart of Phoenix sports and culture."

The new naming rights partnership will integrate the US Airways name throughout the building as well as in advertising, promotional activities and operations, including exterior signage, on-court identification, concessions materials, staff uniforms, tickets, brochures and other collateral material.

Another element of the partnership includes the creation of the “Heritage Wall,” which will profile the history of America West Airlines from birth through the merger creating today’s US Airways. The display will be located just inside the arena’s entrances from the plaza and Jefferson Street.

The arena recently completed a major $70 million expansion and improvement project. Gone is the block exterior, replaced with soaring glass walls. The outdoor ticket office is now enclosed inside the new 14,000 square foot Casino Arizona Pavilion, serving as a grand entrance to the arena highlighted by a 12 x 20 foot video wall. On the arena’s east side, the Bud Light Paseo is a flexible outdoor entertainment venue covered by a football field-length canopy featuring state-of-the-art sound and video projection systems, as well as the stylish Bud Light bar area and facilities that double as television studio facilities for Suns telecasts and a performance stage for music events. Other improvements include new technology installed in the arena bowl including a 900-foot LED ribbon, a center-hung scoreboard with HDTV screens, a new sound system, a new Courtside Club, Lexus Club and B Lounge nightclub. At street level the arena now features a Starbucks, expanded Team Shop and il Palazzetto, a Levy Brothers restaurant featuring fine Italian cuisine.

US Airways and America West have joined together to create the fifth largest domestic airline employing nearly 38,000 aviation professionals. US Airways, US Airways Shuttle and the US Airways Express operate approximately 4,000 flights per day and serve more than 225 communities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. This press release and additional information on US Airways can be found at usairways.com or americawest.com.

Contact:
Robert Harris, rharris@suns.com or 602-379-7912
Philip Gee, philip.gee@usairways.com or 480-693-5729

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