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KeyBank Center
KeyBank Center

Downtown Buffalo's premier sports and entertainment facility officially renamed KeyBank Center

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Mon, Sep 19th 2016 10:40 am

KeyBank 'honored' to be expanding partnership with Buffalo Sabres and Pegula Sports and Entertainment

KeyBank today officially unveiled the newly renamed home of the Buffalo Sabres, KeyBank Center. The bank acquired the naming rights to the former First Niagara Center in connection with parent company KeyCorp's acquisition of First Niagara Financial Group this year.

After KeyCorp Chairman and CEO Beth Mooney announced the multiyear sponsorship in May, work began to replace all exterior and interior signage of the venue, as well as rebrand all on-site ATMs. In addition, the 200 level has been renamed the KeyBank Club and will include the KeyBank Lounge located near the Harbour Club. The lounge offers a space for KeyBank Club ticket holders to relax, socialize and enjoy food and beverage items.

In addition to the rebranding of the venue, the organizations announced several enhancements to the KeyBank Center that are new for the 2016-17 season, including:

•Guests of the KeyBank Center will now enjoy free, enhanced Wi-Fi access throughout the entire 19,070-seat arena.

•KeyBank Center has been outfitted with an advanced Ephesus sports lighting light-emitting diode, or LED, and controls system. The industry-leading system will not only create an enhanced viewing experience at the venue, but is also more energy-efficient.

•KeyBank also announced it will sponsor a performance by musical artist DJ Kool at this year's annual "Party in the Plaza." To celebrate the Sabres season home opener on Thursday, Oct. 13, the performance will include DJ Kool's "Let Me Clear My Throat," the team's official goal song, selected by fans last year.

The pre-game event will be free and open to the public.

"KeyBank's commitment to Buffalo runs deep and we're proud of our strong and growing legacy here," said Gary Quenneville, KeyBank Upstate New York regional executive. "We're committed to helping our enhanced Western New York workforce and our valued customers thrive, but we're equally committed to helping the entire community thrive, and that's what this sponsorship is about. We are enormously proud to be working with the Buffalo Sabres and the Pegulas to continue building on the great partnership these organizations enjoyed with First Niagara for many years. KeyBank Center will continue to play an important role in supporting Buffalo's growth and revitalization, bringing entertainment and business to the area."

"We are proud to expand our relationship with KeyCorp to official naming rights sponsor of our arena," Buffalo Sabres President Russ Brandon said. "We would like to thank First Niagara Financial Group for its years of support, and welcome KeyBank as a premier corporate partner that has pledged a commitment to the Western New York community.

"Guests at KeyBank Center this season will enjoy upgraded amenities, including enhanced Wi-Fi and premier lighting to optimize the viewing experience. Together with KeyBank, we look forward to maximizing the fan experience in 2016-17."

KeyBank Center 

KeyBank Center

In addition to being the home of the National Hockey League's Buffalo Sabres, KeyBank Center also hosts many national-profile sporting events, tournaments and live entertainment shows, and is home to the National Lacrosse League's Buffalo Bandits. Since the venue originally opened in 1996, more than 23 million guests have enjoyed a wide range of events at KeyBank Center.

KeyCorp's roots trace back 190 years to Albany. Headquartered in Cleveland, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $101 billion as of June 30. The acquisition of First Niagara Financial Group, which became effective on Aug. 1, is expected to add assets of approximately $40 billion, based on June 30 balances.

For more information, visit www.key.com. KeyBank and First Niagara Bank, National Association are Member FDIC.

Pegula Sports and Entertainment is a management company that streamlines key business areas across all Pegula family-owned sports and entertainment properties, including the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo Bandits, Rochester Americans, HarborCenter and Black River Entertainment. PSE aims to be a leader in the sports and entertainment industry by bringing together the individual resources, capabilities and talents of each of its entities to create a cohesive and sustainable brand that, together, represents the Pegula family's interest.

PSE's mission is exemplified by its "One Buffalo" initiative, which unites Western New York and serves as a representation of teamwork through a deeper connection between Buffalo sports teams, fans and the community.

 

Pictured, from left: Tom Wennerberg, executive vice president - data, client insights, and Marketing; Elizabeth Vealey, Key Private Bank WNY market manager; Buford Sears, Buffalo regional market president; Sharon Lochhocki, regional retail sales leader for the retail banking teams in Buffalo and Rochester; Gary Quenneville, regional executive, upstate New York region; Russ Brandon, Buffalo Sabres president; and City of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown.

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