Gabba eyes light up as WA earns $10 million from stadium naming rights

Queensland authorities have welcomed the news that the West Australian Labor government has raised $10 million by selling the naming rights to its revamped sports stadium, Perth Arena.

Western Australia made their announcement last Sunday at the same time the Queensland government on Sunday announced it was ready for the first time to sell the naming rights to the historic Brisbane cricket and Australian rules ground.

Latest Gabba redevelopment plans 2018 after 2018 Master Plan released.

Queensland intends to use the money it raises from selling the naming rights to the Gabba to help with redevelopment costs of the stadium itself.

Queensland Sports Minister Mick de Brenni said the Western Australia news showed corporate Australia was very interested in blending sports with their brands.

"There’s no question that corporate Australia sees great value in aligning their brands with iconic sporting venues," Mr de Brenni said.

"That’s why we’re going out to market soon with the Gabba naming rights," he said.

"It gives corporates the opportunity to support some of our favourite sports, and it also provides a significant revenue stream that can be used to ensure our venues continue to be some of the best in the world."

Sports Minister Mick de Brenni with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk Credit: AAP

In Western Australia the money is going to budget repair.

Western Australia’s equivalent to the RACQ – the RAC – has agreed to the $10 million deal over a minimum of five years.

The Perth Arena will from September 1 be known as RAC Arena, without the word Perth.

In Brisbane, the Queensland government intends to keep the name ‘Gabba’.

Western Australia’s treasurer Ben Wyatt and their Sports Minister Mick Murray made their naming rights announcement on Sunday in Perth.

The West Australian government received naming right offers from “eastern states” companies, international brands as well as their own local firms, they said.

"We are delighted RAC has been able to beat out national and international competition in securing this deal, making sure the State's world-class arena is attached to a truly local organisation,” Mr Murray said.

"RAC has played a crucial role in the development of mobility, motoring, road safety and transport in Western Australia, and the McGowan government is proud the trusted brand has forged another important relationship with the state,” he said.

Mr Wyatt said Western Australia would use the money to pay down debt.

“We inherited not only a record level of State debt, but also the perverse situation where WA taxpayers were forking out compensation for Perth Arena to not have a naming sponsor.

"This decision allows us to continue to fix the finances and focus our spending on essential services."

The previous West Australian government decided that Perth’s stadium could not sell its naming rights to raise revenue.

The McGowan government made it an 2017 election pledge to allow the two stadiums to sell the naming rights to the stadiums to raise revenue to pay down debt.

Grab and go: Charlie Curnow flies for an attempted mark during round 16 loss to Brisbane at the Gabba.Credit: AAP

Like Brisbane’s Gabba, the former Perth Arena is multi-purpose stadium. The venue hosts basketball, tennis and netball as well as large concerts.

The Gabba arguably has a higher media profile, hosting Test, Sheffield Shield and Big Bash cricket in addition to Brisbane Lions AFL games and some large concerts, such as English singer-songwriter Adele.

Suncorp, which has had the naming rights to Suncorp Stadium since 1994, said it was "always looking for new opportunities.

"While Suncorp continually reviews opportunities as they arise, we have recently extended our sponsorship of the Suncorp Stadium and that remains our focus," the company said in a statement.

The RACQ did not answer questions a potential sponsorship of the Gabba.