Changes At U.S. Cellular

The city-owned U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington, Ill. may lose its name and its management company April 1.

Central Illinois Arena Management announced March 7 that it will not negotiate a new contract when its current one expires.

A stipulation in U.S. Cellular’s more than decade-long agreement with the city states the company may cancel the sponsorship if CIAM no longer runs the arena.

U.S. Cellular spokeswoman Katie Frey told local newspaper the Pantagraph that the company will not continue the naming rights agreement, as the company hasn’t had stores in the city or surrounding area since 2012. Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner said the city may seek a contract extension of 30 to 90 days with CIAM, depending on how long it takes to find a new management company.

The Coliseum faced almost $500,000 losses in net operating income for the 2015 fiscal year, which more than doubles the loss from the previous fiscal year. Upcoming events are expected to remain unaffected by the change in management.

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