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SALT LAKE CITY — To many fans, it's always been the Delta Center.
It's been nearly 17 years since the beloved moniker was removed from the Utah Jazz's home arena. Since then, it's been EnergySolutions Arena, Vivint SmartHome Arena, and finally Vivint Arena.
The marquee may have changed, but to a large number of Jazz fans, the name remained the same. To them, it was — and has always been — the Delta Center.
The Delta Center was the arena Larry H. Miller built. It was the place Karl Malone and John Stockton became Hall-of-Famers. It was where Jerry Sloan became a legend. It was where many in the state fell in love with the Utah Jazz.
And now, the Delta Center is back.
The Utah Jazz announced on Saturday that they've entered into a long-term naming rights deal with Delta to restore the original name to the arena that opened in 1991. The name change will go into effect on July 1, 2023. Terms of the deal were not released.
"I have so many amazing memories of the Delta Center as a kid, and I know that countless people throughout Utah and beyond had similar experiences creating core memories there, whether watching the Olympics & Paralympic Winter Games, the NBA Finals, concerts, or other incredible events," Jazz owner Ryan Smith said in a statement.
"We are excited to partner with (Delta CEO) Ed Bastian and the entire Delta team to not only bring back the arena's original name, but also leverage the amazing work Delta is doing to provide incredible experiences for the people of our state and help show the world how amazing Utah is."
The news comes on the heels of a landmark deal between Delta and Salt Lake City. The two sides finalized a contract last month that will keep Salt Lake City as a major Delta hub until at least mid-2044, with an option to extend the lease another 10 years.
Delta has referred to Salt Lake City as the "Atlanta of the West" — Delta's headquarters and major hub — and the deal is the latest example of an investment into the city and surrounding community from the airline company.
"Today we celebrate a new chapter in the longstanding history between Delta, the Utah Jazz and the Salt Lake City community," Bastian said in a statement. "The homecoming of the Delta Center represents a continued investment and dedication to Salt Lake City, and together we will provide a leading sports and entertainment experience to the city and Jazz fans worldwide."
Vivint will remain a partner with the Jazz following the name change. The Provo-based company announced on Saturday it has entered into a new partnership agreement with the Jazz that will extend through the 2030 season.
The original naming-rights deal was set to expire in 2025. With the new deal, Vivint will keep the rights to a court side suite and will also have a presence inside the arena with in-game promotions and advertising. The outside, though, will be bear a different but familiar name.
And one many never stopped saying.
