Arena Authority Approves Acrisure Insurance Deal
The one-year brokerage agreement covers the authority's four Grand Rapids venues and was approved without a competitive bidding process.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Insurance
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The Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority approved a one-year insurance brokerage agreement with Acrisure, a Grand Rapids-based brokerage. The board approved the deal unanimously on Friday.
Why it matters
The agreement stems from a provision in Acrisure's $30 million donor-recognition deal with Grand Action 2.0, which gave Acrisure the right to propose insurance services to the authority. Because no request for proposals was issued to other brokers, the arrangement has drawn attention to how the authority selects its vendors.
The brokered coverage costs $889,841 per year, or $906,856 with optional terrorism coverage, and Ascot Insurance Company will provide the policy. The agreement is projected to save the authority roughly $100,000 annually, though the source does not detail how that estimate was calculated.
The players
Acrisure
Acrisure is a Grand Rapids-based insurance brokerage that has expanded its footprint through large sponsorship and naming-rights deals in the region.
Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority
The Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority is the public body co-governed by the city and county that operates the region's major arena and convention venues.
Legends Global
Legends Global is a New York-headquartered venue management company whose existing coverage arrangement for the authority's venues was replaced by the Acrisure agreement.
The details
Acrisure will broker insurance for Acrisure Amphitheater, Van Andel Arena, DeVos Place and DeVos Performance Hall. The authority's venues were previously insured through coverage arranged by Legends Global, which uses Marsh as its general liability broker.
Timeline
September 2024: Acrisure's $30 million amphitheater donation was announced.
May 15: Acrisure Amphitheater opened with a Lionel Richie performance.
November 6, 2026: The authority approved the one-year Acrisure brokerage agreement.
Market Landscape
Public entities typically solicit proposals from multiple brokers before awarding insurance contracts, so the authority's direct selection of Acrisure stands out. The arrangement also shows how donor-recognition agreements can create preferred access to commercial service contracts.
Visitors to the authority's venues will see coverage provided through a new brokerage, though the source does not indicate any change to tickets or event access. The projected $100,000 annual savings would reduce the authority's operating costs if realized.
The takeaway
Public organizations that accept large donations should consider how donor agreements might shape later vendor selection. Competitive bidding remains the standard safeguard for ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent on the best available terms.
Further reading
For related coverage, explore more Insurance stories in Grand Rapids.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mlive.
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