Goodbye PNC Arena, hello Lenovo Center. The home of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes and the NC State Wolfpack men’s basketball team has a new name.
Hurricanes Holdings CEO Brian Fork announced the arena’s naming rights agreement between the Lenovo tech company and the NHL hockey team today. The naming rights agreement for the “Lenovo Center” will run through the 2033-34 National Hockey League season. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.
“Lenovo has been a valued partner of ours for many years,” says Fork in a release. “Lenovo has both strong local ties and a worldwide footprint, and we’re proud to have the Hurricanes’ name associated with a true leader in global technology.”
PNC Bank will continue to be a major partner of the Hurricanes, Fork says.
“This partnership is about more than just re-naming the arena. Lenovo will play a vital role integrating technology into our upcoming arena renovations and enhancements,” says Philip Isley, chair of the Centennial Authority, in a release. “Lenovo has deep roots in North Carolina, and we’re thrilled that they are strengthening those roots with this naming rights agreement.”
Lenovo is a Chinese-owned company that has joint global headquarters in Morrisville and Beijing. The company bought IBM’s PC division, which was based in North Carolina, in 2005. It is among the Triangle’s largest employers.
“The arena is one of the most recognizable venues in the state and the newly named Lenovo Center will continue to be the premier destination for people to enjoy sporting events, concerts, and more,” says Ryan McCurdy, president, Lenovo North America.
Lenovo has been a partner of the Carolina Hurricanes since 2010 and has sponsored the team’s helmut decal. Now, Lenovo will be the technology partner of the Hurricanes and the organization will implement Lenovo technology throughout the arena and in its operations.
PNC Arena opened as the Raleigh Entertainment and Sports Arena in 1999. The building became the RBC Center in 2002 and was renamed PNC Arena after PNC Bank’s acquisition of RBC in 2012.
The arena has an average of 1.5 million guests and 150 events each year, including concerts, comedy tours and family shows. The arena is owned by the Centennial Authority and managed by Gale Force Sports & Entertainment, a subsidiary of Hurricanes Holdings. The arena seats 19,722 for basketball and 18,680 for ice hockey, and includes 66 luxury suites and 2,000 club seats. The building has three concourses and includes a 300-seat restaurant.
Dallas investor Tom Dundon owns Hurricane Holdings.