Arena will be renamed “Lenovo Center” in September
RALEIGH, NC – Brian Fork, CEO of Hurricanes Holdings, LLC, announced today that the Centennial Authority has approved an arena naming rights agreement between Lenovo and the Carolina Hurricanes. Beginning in September of this year, the team’s home arena will be renamed the “Lenovo Center.” The agreement is valid for 10 years, through the 2033-34 National Hockey League season.
“Lenovo has been a valued partner of ours for many years,” said Fork. “We are excited to now expand that partnership by renaming the arena Lenovo Center. Lenovo has both strong local ties and a global presence, and we are proud to have the Hurricanes’ name associated with a true leader in the global technology sector. As we enter this new era, we are grateful to our long-time naming rights partner, PNC, who will continue to be a key partner of our organization.”
“This is an exciting day for Raleigh, Wake County and the entire state of North Carolina,” said Philip Isley, chairman of the Centennial Authority. “This partnership is about more than just renaming the arena. Lenovo will play an important role in integrating technology into our upcoming renovations and expansion of the arena. Lenovo has deep roots in North Carolina and we are excited to have them strengthen those roots with this naming rights agreement.”
“Lenovo has called North Carolina home for nearly two decades. Like the Hurricanes, we are very proud to be part of the Triangle community and we are excited to expand our partnership with a world-class sports organization,” said Ryan McCurdy, senior vice president and president of Lenovo North America. “The arena is one of the most iconic venues in the state and the newly named Lenovo Center will continue to be the premier destination for people looking to enjoy sporting events, concerts and more.”
Lenovo is a Fortune Global 500 technology company with close ties to North Carolina since 2005. One of the company’s two global headquarters is located in Morrisville, North Carolina. Lenovo is one of the largest employers in the Triangle region, generating an estimated $1.5 billion in economic and financial impact in North Carolina each year. Lenovo also supports the local community through charitable donations, employee volunteerism, and community engagement initiatives.
Lenovo has been a partner of the Carolina Hurricanes since 2010 and previously sponsored the team’s helmet decals. As part of the expanded partnership, Lenovo will become the Hurricanes’ official technology partner and the organization will implement Lenovo technology throughout the arena and its operations to enhance the fan experience.
PNC Arena originally opened in 1999 as the Raleigh Entertainment and Sports Arena. In 2002, the building became the RBC Center and was renamed PNC Arena in 2012 after PNC Bank acquired RBC. Home to the Carolina Hurricanes and the NC State University men’s basketball program, the arena hosts an average of 1.5 million guests and 150 events each year, including major 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.
A press conference and public unveiling of signage at the Lenovo Center is scheduled for September 19, 2024.
A rendering of the Lenovo Center is available here and a short animated video that can be used by media for broadcast and websites can be downloaded here.
*Economic impact data from an economic impact study commissioned by Lenovo and conducted by Sanford Holshouser Economic Development Consulting, LLC and Research and Consulting Services, LLC in August 2021.
