Omaha, Neb.-based CHI Health recently entered into $23.6 million deal to rename an Omaha-based convention center and arena to include its brand, according to Live Well Nebraska.
CHI Health, part of Englewood, Colo.-based Catholic Health Initiatives, purchased the naming rights to the arena under a 20-year, $23.6 million agreement. The Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority board, which runs the stadium, approved the contract 3-0 on June 20, according to the report.
Officials plan to rename the convention center and arena CHI Health Center Omaha. However, early online reviews of the rebranding were negative, with some people posting on social media claiming the new name made the venue less appealing, the report states.
The stadium's rebrand will go into effect Sept. 1. CHI Health officials said the money used for the contract will come from the health system's marketing budget and will not use funds from other areas of the organization or affect the cost of care for patients.
CHI Health CEO Cliff Robertson, MD, told the publication: "We have money set aside every year for marketing. These funds will come out of those budgets that we've had for years and years, which is like one-tenth of 1 percent of our total expenses."
As part of the agreement, CHI Health will pay MECA roughly $1 million per year to sponsor the venue until 2038, will maintain one corporate suite and four club level seats to all events, and will be able to reserve the venue for company events twice a year, according to the report.
Dr. Robertson added the health system plans to use the arena and convention center to host health screenings and health education events.