Alaska Airlines Inks Sponsorship Deal At Seattle Center Arena

SEATTLE, WA — Alaska Airlines has announced a major partnership agreement with NHL Seattle and OVG, securing a visible presence at the new Seattle Center arena, and declaring it the official airline of the city's new professional hockey team. The deal does not include overall naming rights for the new arena, which its owners still officially refer to as the "New Arena at Seattle Center."

Updated artist's renderings released Thursday showed the former Key Arena's landmark roof adorned with a sign reading "Seattle Center Arena." The roof has remained fully intact while the rest of the facility is completely demolished and rebuilt underneath.

As part of the deal announced Thursday, the new arena's main entrance and lobby area will be branded the "Alaska Airlines Atrium," and Alaska branding will appear on the ice and various boards around the rink.

Seattle's new NHL hockey team, which has yet to settle on a name, is slated to begin playing at the new facility in fall, 2021. The arena will also provide a new home for the city's highly successful WNBA team, the Seattle Storm.

The $930 million redevelopment project is still underway and expected to be complete by summer 2021.