New name for Warriors’ home?

Mt Smart Stadium, the home of the Warriors, could be in for a potential name change, with Auckland Stadiums in the market for a naming rights sponsor.

The stadium, which is also one of the country’s main outdoor concert venues, has been without a naming-rights sponsor since it was known as Ericsson Stadium between 1995-2006.

Mt Smart’s infrastructure has undergone several improvements in the last 18 months, after the Warriors agreed to extend their licence at the ground until 2028.

And, with the venue continuing to host some of the world biggest acts, Auckland Stadiums, a business unit of Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA), has invited expressions of interest.

‘‘Auckland Stadiums has invested a lot into the existing infrastructure at Mt Smart, and the environment has improved dramatically over the last 12 to 18 months,’’ said Auckland Stadiums director Paul Nisbet.

‘‘I think we’ve got it into the shape where it is an attractive proposition for a major namingrights sponsorship to go in there.’’

While Nisbet declined to comment on a price, they were hoping to secure a ‘‘significant revenue stream’’ to assist with the ongoing maintenance of Mt Smart that reduces reliance on ratepayer funding.

Murray Stott has been a broker for global naming rights and sponsorship for 30 years.

Stott said a naming rights deal for a New Zealand stadium such as Mt Smart would be valued from $500,000 to $1 million – depending on the level of integration with the major tenant – with the contract generally lasting 10-20 years.

But stadium-rights agreements have been affected by shrinking television audiences and the growing shift of advertisers online, he said.

‘‘What’s diluted the options today is the net.’’