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U of I graduate makes naming-rights donation

Posted December 27, 2013 3:42 pm

Associated Press

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The University of Illinois has announced the first donation to secure naming rights for a section of its basketball arena in Champaign.

It’s part of a multimillion-dollar renovation that’ll add luxury boxes, air conditioning and other features to the 50-year-old arena.

Crain’s Chicago Business reported Friday that the donation is from a 1983 Illinois graduate, John Giuliani. He’s CEO of a California-based online advertising company, ValueClick Inc.

He committed to paying $5 million for naming rights to a planned 10,000-square-foot premium seating space, called the Traditions Club. To help pay for the renovations, U of I is also selling naming rights to other sections, including locker rooms.

Trustees this year signed off on a deal changing the arena’s name from Assembly Hall to the State Farm Center.

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