Social media reacts to Hawks, State Farm agreement

Construction of a new $213.5 million downtown arena for the Atlanta Hawks and Thrashers began in July 1997. Philips Arena acquired its name before opening in 1999. The arena has since undergone a number of changes, including a new name for the 2018 season.

Explosive charges take down The Omni Arena, making way for a new downtown arena for the Atlanta Hawks on July 26, 1997.

Steel girders that spell out "ATLANTA" on the exterior of the new home of the Atlanta Hawks and Thrashers are prepped to be outlined with lights.

Work continues on the newly named Philips Arena. It opened in 1999 at a cost of $213.5 million.

The roof of Philips Arena is supported by angled steel columns spelling out "ATLANTA."

When finished the new Philips Arena seats 21,000 and includes 92 luxury suites, 9 party suites, and 1,866 club seats.

A Philips Arena detail of front row seats before its opening in 1999.

Construction workers use a 'rider' to flatten and polish the cement on the floor of the new Philips Arena in June 1999.

Work continues to complete the interior of Philips Arena in August 1999. The Arena officially opened Sept. 18, 1999.

Workers clean seats at the new Philips Arena a month ahead of its September 1999 opening. The new arena was equipped with more than 20,000 seats and a state-of-the-art scoreboard.

In 2017, the Hawks began a nearly $200 million renovation of Philips Arena. The old "Hawk Walk" area is among the areas being transformed in an effort to offer more unique entertainment amenities, better sight-lines, video displays, and reconfigured luxury suites.

The final phase of the arena reconstruction involved the transformation of the seating.

The floor shows the de-construction of the arena where more than 450 construction workers a day are worked on the project.

All of the seats in the arena were removed and the old luxury suites demolished. The renovated arena with reconfigured luxury suites opens in October.

Amid construction the Philips Arena name remained. The venue will reopen in October under a new name, State Farm Arena.

1/15

Construction of a new $213.5 million downtown arena for the Atlanta Hawks and Thrashers began in July 1997. Philips Arena acquired its name before opening in 1999. The arena has since undergone a number of changes, including a new name for the 2018 season.

By The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Aug 29, 2018

Social media reaction was fast and swift Wednesday following the news that the Hawks and State Farm reached a naming rights agreement for Philips Arena.

OFFICIAL: We have a new home at State Farm Arena.

📰 » https://t.co/HuZSkxaLwX #TrueToAtlanta pic.twitter.com/o5nVxDfq4d
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) August 29, 2018

The deal will be for 20 years for the facility, which will be named State Farm Arena. Read more on the story here.

#BREAKING: Remade @PhilipsArena will open with a new name. Multiple @NBA sources tell Channel 2 Sports Director @ZachKleinWSB that the @ATLHawks have signed a 20-year deal with @StateFarm to change the name of their home arena to State Farm Arena. https://t.co/cvEu27xD1n pic.twitter.com/B2s2PPdJvs
— AJC (@ajc) August 29, 2018

Philips Arena 👉 State Farm Arena@ATLHawks sign 20-year deal with @StateFarm to change name of their home arena, league sources tell @ZachKleinWSB. https://t.co/FGLPq5OMkK

What do you think of the change? pic.twitter.com/t246HchSJq
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) August 29, 2018

Photos: The rise and rebuild of Hawks’ home https://t.co/ec59ngDUtB
— AJC Sports (@AJCsports) August 29, 2018

Philips Arena, newly renovated home of the ⁦@ATLHawks⁩, becomes State Farm Arena pic.twitter.com/1B2EiF1EWa
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) August 29, 2018

The Hawks say that State Farm Arena, their new home after a $192.5M renovation, will feature the third largest NBA scoreboard, Topgolf Swing Suites, Killer Mike’s SWAG Shop (a four-chair barbershop overlooking the court) and the signature Hawks Bar, the NBA’s first courtside bar.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) August 29, 2018

Old Stadiums:
Turner Field
Phillips Arena
Georgia Dome

New Stadiums:
SunTrust Park
State Farm Arena
Mercedes Benz Stadium #ChopOn #TrueToAtlanta #RiseUp
— Gus♎️ (@gusnextdoor10) August 29, 2018

State Farm Arena in Atlanta joins State Farm Arena in Hildalgo, TX and State Farm Center in Champaign, IL as sports venues bearing the State Farm name.
— Mike Conti (@MikeConti929) August 29, 2018

About the Author

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution