City of Raleigh reaches agreement with Red Hat for amphitheater naming rights

It took nearly three years, but the City of Raleigh has secured naming rights for its downtown amphitheater.

Opened in June 2010, the amphitheater has until now been known simply as the Raleigh Amphitheater. Today, the city announced that it had reached a five-year deal with Raleigh-based software company Red Hat.

City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday in support of the $1.175 million agreement with Red Hat, meaning the 6,000-seat venue will be called the Red Hat Amphitheater.

“Red Hat is proud to collaborate with the City of Raleigh,” said Jackie Yeaney, executive vice president of Strategy and Marketing at Red Hat. “Red Hat’s mission is to be a catalyst in our communities, and we’re hoping that with this collaboration we’ll be able to help fuel the continued growth of Downtown Raleigh.”

Securing sponsorship for the amphitheater has not come without drama, however. In 2010, the City came close to a $1.5 million agreement with Harris Wholesale, which would have meant the venue would be called the Bud Light Amphitheater.

But nearly as quickly as word got out about the possible sponsorship, the Substance Abuse Advisory Commission appealed to City Council that naming the venue after a beer would be harmful for people who abuse alcohol and for youth.

On top of the moral issues raised by the group, the North Carolina ABC Commission does not allow public venues to be named after alcoholic beverages, meaning state law prohibited the venue from being called Bud Light Amphitheater.

The issue was rendered moot in June 2010 when the ABC Commission denied the city’s request for an exemption, saying it would create more competition than they could handle in the advertising field.

While naming had at one-time been rumored to be going to Durham-based Cree — whose Shimmer Wall plays an integral role in the amphitheater’s ambience – Red Hat, which in June began relocating employees to downtown, ultimately secured the five-year deal.

“Raleigh is so proud that this internationally acclaimed, home-grown technological leader has further solidified its association with the Capital City,” Mayor Nancy McFarlane said of the agreement. “This Downtown venue, that offers the very best in entertainment in a uniquely Raleigh setting, is the perfect match for this uniquely Raleigh company.”

Similar Posts:

• Group Expresses Opposition To ‘Bud Light’ Amphitheater
• City Of Raleigh Calling For Feedback On Amphitheatre Naming Rights
• City Council To Appeal To ABC Panel Over Amphitheatre Naming Rights
• ABC Commission Halts Amphitheater Sponsorship Proposal
• Raleigh Amphitheater Inches Closer To Grand Opening

Comments

comments