Key Takeaways
- First Community Bank and the Jonesboro Advertising & Promotion Commission signed a 15-year, $4,525,000 naming rights agreement, renaming the Ridge Athletics Center the First Community Bank Sportsplex.
- The 200,000-square-foot complex opens in early 2027 and is managed by The Sports Facilities Companies, the nation’s largest sports facility operator.
- Court space converts to 12 basketball courts or 24 volleyball courts, alongside a 40,000-square-foot natatorium with 1,245 spectator seats.
- The venue is already booking tournaments and events for 2027 and beyond, before opening day.
- The agreement averages about $300,000 per year, a long-term commitment locked in months before the facility opens.
A Naming Rights Deal Signed Before Opening Day
The Jonesboro Advertising & Promotion Commission and First Community Bank have agreed to a 15-year, $4,525,000 naming rights partnership that renames the Ridge Athletics Center as the First Community Bank Sportsplex. The facility opens in early 2027, meaning the bank locked in its name and a 15-year term well before the first event takes place.
Craig Rickert, Executive Director of the Jonesboro Advertising and Promotion Commission, said the agreement reflects regional enthusiasm for the project. “Very few facilities have this kind of support, let alone months before they open,” he said, adding that the 15-year term signals confidence in the venue’s ability to drive tourism and improve quality of life for residents.
What the First Community Bank Sportsplex Will Offer
The 200,000-square-foot complex is built for high-volume tournament play and large gatherings. Its court space converts to either 12 basketball courts or 24 volleyball courts, giving operators flexibility to host multi-sport events under one roof.
The aquatics program is a centerpiece. The 40,000-square-foot natatorium includes 1-meter and 3-meter diving, a competition warm-up pool, and 1,245 spectator seats. An outdoor aquatics park and a 35,000-square-foot events center round out the building, positioning the venue for swim meets, dive competitions, and non-sport programming alike.
First Community Bank’s Stake in Regional Sports Tourism
First Community Bank is locally owned and operated, with 34 locations across Arkansas and Missouri, 650 employees, and $3.5 billion in assets as of March 31, 2026. The bank opened in Batesville, Arkansas, in 1997.
Allen Williams, Executive Vice President and Regional President, framed the deal as a community investment rather than a marketing buy. He said the sportsplex will create economic opportunity and bring people together across Northeast Arkansas, with lasting impact across the bank’s region. For a community bank, a naming rights position on a regional tournament destination places the brand in front of visiting families and teams from outside its existing branch footprint.
SFC Adds Another Managed Venue to Its Network
The First Community Bank Sportsplex will be managed by The Sports Facilities Companies, which handles planning, development, and operations for sports, recreation, aquatics, and events venues nationwide.
SFC’s network spans more than 140 venues and roughly 7,500 team members. The company reports nearly 30 million guest visits and more than $1 billion in annual economic impact across its portfolio, which also includes the Power Wellness and Spirit Golf Management brands.
Why Naming Rights Are Closing Before the Doors Open
The Jonesboro deal points to a pattern worth tracking: naming rights for amateur and youth sports complexes are increasingly secured during construction rather than after a venue proves its traffic. For the operator, an early commitment locks in revenue and validates the project to other prospective tenants and sponsors. For the sponsor, signing first means a lower entry point and a longer brand runway. As more communities convert purpose-built sportsplexes into tourism engines, expect these conversations to start earlier in the development timeline.
Source: Jonesboro Advertising & Promotion Commission and First Community Bank, June 25, 2026 (press release). No URL was included in the source material, so add the hyperlink before publishing.
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