University of Miami Convocation Center Renamed BankUnited Center
Nov. 16, 2005
Coral Gables, Fla. (www. hurricanesports.com) – – The University of Miami (UM) and BankUnited today announced they have entered into a 10-year agreement to rename the university’s Convocation Center the BankUnited Center.
Under the terms of the agreement, BankUnited will be the official bank of the 7,000-seat, $48 million, multi-purpose facility that is home to the University’s men’s and women’s basketball teams and host to various events of local and national importance. Efforts are already underway to transition the BankUnited name and logo to interior and exterior signage. The comprehensive agreement also includes on-site ATMs, alumni and student marketing opportunities, collateral materials, Web promotions and other components.
“Today the University is not only partnering with a fine South Florida company but also with a wonderful UM family,” said UM President Donna E. Shalala. “The BankUnited Center will continue to welcome top notch events and be a place for the community to enjoy.”
Situated on the University of Miami campus in Coral Gables, Fla., the Center hosted the 2004 U.S. Presidential Debate, The Dalai Lama, Univision Premios Juventud and sell-out concerts, including Coldplay and Kanye West. It is managed by Global Spectrum, a subsidiary of Philadelphia-based Comcast-Spectacor, which owns the Philadelphia Flyers, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Philadelphia Phantoms, Flyers Skate Zone, Comcast SportsNet, and the Bowie Baysox, the Delmarva Shorebirds and the Frederick Keys, all affiliates of the Baltimore Orioles.
Alfred R. Camner, BankUnited’s chairman and chief executive officer, and an alumni of the University’s law school, added, “This is a wonderful partnership. Our financial support will enable UM to continue to offer outstanding educational opportunities to talented young people. We recruit from UM’s pool of alumni and recent graduates, so this arrangement has sentimental significance for many of our bankers. We’re pleased to do our part to make South Florida a better place to work and live.”
About BankUnitedBankUnited Financial Corp. (Nasdaq: BKUNA) is the holding company for BankUnited FSB, the largest banking institution headquartered in Florida as measured by assets. BankUnited had assets of $10.7 billion at Sept. 30, 2005. Serving customers in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties through 62 branches, BankUnited offers a full spectrum of consumer and commercial banking products and services, including online products that can be accessed through www.bankunited.com. For additional information, call (877) 779-2265.
About University of MiamiThe University of Miami is the largest private research institution in the southeastern United States. The University’s mission is to provide quality education, attract and retain outstanding students, support the faculty and their research, and build an endowment for University initiatives. www.miami.edu
