Rupp Arena receives corporate sponsor, slight name change

Since it opened in 1976, Rupp Arena has never been called anything else and has never had a corporate naming rights deal.

That changed on Thursday, as Central Bank stepped in and bought the naming rights from the University of Kentucky.

Now, according to those at the ceremony, the arena will be known as Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center:

Officials from UK and Central Bank are joined by members of the Rupp family as Rupp Arena is renamed Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center.

It’s the first naming rights deal in the 44-year history of the facility. pic.twitter.com/nsmO2PP7cO

— UK Sports Network (@UKSportsNetwork) January 16, 2020

It seems as though Central Bank should know better than to mess with history, especially one as rich as Kentucky’s, but here we are.

How are Wildcats fans handling the news? So far, the reaction to the slight name adjustment has been mixed:

So it’s ok to drop Commonwealth Stadium but keep the Rupp Arena name. If I was a part of the football program I would be upset hearing this news. Proof UK is more worried about basketball names & not football.

— Michael Bennett (@justthecatradio) January 16, 2020

RE: The new name for Rupp Arena, I’m told the “at Central Bank Center” is silent. So carry on. Nothing to see here.

— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) January 16, 2020

https://t.co/gb8W5VgRX3 pic.twitter.com/gqUcYSx2Be

— Tyler Dixon (@tdixonKNE) January 16, 2020

"Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center"

In the age of the Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl, it could be a lot worse

— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) January 16, 2020