The hockey and basketball arena in west Raleigh is about to have a new name – again.
Gale Force Sports & Entertainment announced Thursday that the Centennial Authority granted preliminary approval to The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. The naming rights agreement is expected to take effect in March.
The building was originally named the Entertainment and Sports Arena, or ESA for short, when it opened in 1999 It was given a generic name so that it could switch to the name of a corporate sponsor.
RBC bank bought the title rights with a 20-year, $80 million deal in 2002 and the name was switched to the RBC Center.
However, PNC Financial Services Group agreed to buy the U.S. retail business of the Royal Bank of Canada for $3.45 billion in June. That meant the name of the arena would change.
"PNC is one of the nation's strongest banks, and has an excellent reputation for support of its employees, customers, communities and shareholders," said Peter Karmanos, CEO and owner of the Carolina Hurricanes and Gale Force Sports & Entertainment. "We are happy to be associated with this well-regarded national franchise, and look forward to working with PNC in the North Carolina community."
The 19,000-seat could be named the PNC Arena as soon as March.
PNC also has its name on the Pittsburgh Pirates’ baseball stadium, PNC Park.
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