SUNRISE, Fla. – Sunrise Sports & Entertainment (SSE) announced today that it has reached an agreement on a long-term corporate partnership with BB&T (NYSE: BBT) – one of the largest banks in the United States – headlined by the arena naming rights of the BB&T Center, home of the Florida Panthers hockey club and a premier international entertainment destination.

BB&T resumed naming rights for the “Center of it All” after recently acquiring BankAtlantic, and signed a new 10-year partnership with SSE. The main website for the BB&T Center can now be found at TheBBTCenter.com.

“We are absolutely thrilled that BB&T has chosen to become the long-term naming rights partner for the Broward County-owned BB&T Center,” said SSE president & COO Michael R. Yormark. “This 10-year partnership is indicative of both the incredible recent success and the near limitless future of SSE, the Florida Panthers and the BB&T Center. BB&T is one of America’s most recognizable banks. Adding their name to our facility and at the top of our portfolio of corporate partners is a significant statement about the growth of our company and our standing in the South Florida community and beyond.”

SSE is currently making transitions to reflect the naming rights partnership including the new BB&T Center logo, updated signage, online exposure, corporate collateral, marketing campaigns, color schemes, and more. The “Center of it All” will be fully converted by Oct. 13, 2012 to the BB&T Center – including new arena signage and brand new TheBBTCenter.com.

“BB&T is committed to supporting the communities in which we work and live,” said Mike Oster, regional president of BB&T’s South Florida region. “The South Florida market is very important to BB&T and this investment is a perfect fit. As the headline corporate sponsor, we are pleased to support this great venue which enhances the region’s vibrancy and raises the awareness of BB&T and our commitment to the communities we serve.”

In addition to the naming rights of the BB&T Center, BB&T also has become SSE’s Premier Pillar Partner. As the organization’s most significant corporate partner, BB&T will receive dominant in-arena signage, and exposure through all of SSE’s marketing assets including television, radio, outdoor, print, online, social media, and more.

BB&T joins SSE at an exciting time for the entire organization. The Broward County-owned BB&T Center is currently the No. 13-ranked arena venue in the country by Pollstar magazine, and the defending Southeast Division Champion Florida Panthers are preparing for Opening Night Saturday, Oct. 13 when they take on the rival Tampa Bay Lightning.

“We are excited to work with BB&T to bring even more international recognition to their brand through an innovative corporate partnership, a world-renowned schedule of concerts and events, and one of the most exciting hockey teams in the NHL,” Yormark said.

About BB&T

BB&T Corporation (NYSE: BBT) is one of the largest financial services holding companies in the U.S. with $178.5 billion in assets and market capitalization of $21.6 billion, as of June 30, 2012. Based in Winston-Salem, N.C., the company operates approximately 1,800 financial centers in 12 states and Washington, D.C., and offers a full range of consumer and commercial banking, securities brokerage, asset management, mortgage and insurance products and services. A Fortune 500 company, BB&T is consistently recognized for outstanding client satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates, the U.S. Small Business Administration, Greenwich Associates and others. More information about BB&T and its full line of products and services is available at www.BBT.com .