Willkie Advises the Utah Jazz in Arena Naming Rights Deal with Delta Airlines

On January 14, the National Basketball Association's Utah Jazz announced that it will enter a long-term naming rights agreement and sponsorship deal with Delta Airlines. Willkie advised the Utah Jazz on the transaction.

Under the multi-year partnership, starting in July 2023 the Utah Jazz’s home arena – Utah’s premier sports and entertainment center – will be renamed the “Delta Center,” as it was originally known upon its opening in 1991. In addition, Delta will serve as the Official Airline of the Utah Jazz, adding to its current role as an Official Community Partner of the team. Delta will also hold numerous sponsorship and branding rights with the team, including media, hospitality and employee engagement extensions.

Located in downtown Salt Lake City, the Jazz’s 18,206-seat facility, currently named Vivint Arena, hosts more than 320 sports and entertainment events and draws approximately 1.8 million guests each year.

Lead Willkie partner Jared Bartie, Chair of the Firm’s Sports Transactions Practice, previously represented the Utah Jazz in its arena naming rights agreement with Vivint in 2015.

The Willkie team was led by partner Jared Bartie and included partner Matthew Makover and associate Madison Wiles-Haffner.