ALKEME has secured a 15-year naming rights agreement with Arizona Athletics to rename McKale Memorial Center as McKale Center at ALKEME Arena, marking the largest arena naming rights deal in the Big 12 conference at $27.7 million.
The partnership represents one of the largest corporate agreements in Arizona Athletics history and positions ALKEME prominently at a venue that has anchored college basketball in the Southwest for more than five decades.
McKale Center officially opened on February 1, 1973, with an initial construction cost of $8.1 million, the facility's records show. The arena is named after J.F. "Pop" McKale, who served as the University of Arizona's athletic director from 1914 until his retirement in 1957 and coached football, basketball, baseball and track.
The venue, which seats 14,688 spectators, hosted one of college basketball's longest home winning streaks when Arizona went 71-0 from 1987 to 1992. Arizona Basketball has led the Pac-12 Conference in attendance every year since the 1984-85 season, spanning 38 consecutive seasons, university data shows.
The renamed facility will continue to host University of Arizona athletic events, including games for the No. 1 ranked men's basketball team under head coach Tommy Lloyd.
Curtis Barton, chief executive officer of ALKEME, said the partnership allows the brokerage to showcase its presence in Arizona and across Big 12 markets. "Aligning with a nationally recognized brand like the University of Arizona allows us to showcase our commitment to innovation, community and growth," Barton said.
Read more: ALKEME Insurance acquires five agencies
ALKEME completed five agency acquisitions in Q4 2025 alone, including Merritt Hall in Indianapolis, Couch Braunsdorf Insurance Group in New Jersey, JXX Insurance Agency in Southern California, Bellwether in Florida and Health Connect Insurance Agency in California.
The company has completed more than 70 total acquisitions since its 2020 founding and now operates in over 60 locations across 29 states. ALKEME plans to maintain its acquisition pace in 2026 as it builds a nationwide insurance and risk management platform.
The ALKEME deal joins a growing portfolio of insurance industry arena naming rights agreements. MetLife earns $17 million annually from its NFL stadium partnership in New Jersey, while Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company holds naming rights to the Blue Jackets' arena valued at $135 million with no expiration date.
State Farm secured naming rights for the Atlanta Hawks' home arena and Arizona Cardinals' stadium in 2018.
The partnership includes collaboration with the University of Arizona's Eller College of Management to develop entrepreneurship and leadership programming for students and student-athletes.
Suresh Garimella, president of the University of Arizona, said the partnership supports student preparation and opportunity.
"Through ALKEME's investment, McKale Memorial Center becomes not only a stage for competition but a platform for experiential education, entrepreneurship and leadership development," Garimella said.
