CHICAGO – It’s the ultimate status symbol for a company looking to make a splash. It’s a tool for entertaining clients and rewarding employees for a job well done. It’s a statement: We’re here, and we plan on staying for a while.

And it’s a valuable revenue stream for teams looking to upgrade their facility, or build a new one altogether. It helps ensure the future of small-market clubs, and increases the advantage of the most profitable teams.

Corporate names are plastered on arenas and stadiums all over the world today, and the marquee sponsorship agreements are becoming more lucrative and intricate with each blockbuster contract. That’s why some of the top professionals in sports are paying close attention to an intriguing group of naming rights deals set to expire within the next five years.