Expect the RBC Center to change names next year.
Pittsburgh-based PNC Financial Services Group's $3.45 billion acquisition of RBC Bank, announced this morning, includes the naming rights to the Raleigh sports arena that is home to the Carolina Hurricanes and N.C. State University's basketball team.
PNC CEO James E. Rohr said in an interview today that the bank is looking at putting its own name on the arena after the acquisition is completed, which is targeted for next March.
"As you know, there are ball parks and football stadiums and hockey rinks all across America where the names have changed as a result of acquisitions," said RBC Bank CEO Jim Westlake. He said that the naming rights deal expires in 2022.
PNC is used to having its name plastered on sports venues. The Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team plays in PNC Park, and PNC Field outside of Scranton is home to a New York Yankees minor league team.
Under the naming rights agreement, the Hurricanes and the Centennial Authority, which owns the arena, have the right to reject names that are "offensive to the sensibilities of the community at large." And any costs associated with renaming the arena are the responsibility of the holder of the naming rights.
"I don't see it having much of an effect on us," said Jim Rutherford, president and general manager of the Hurricanes. " Nearly everything that affects us is part of the naming-rights agreement. We have had a great relationship with RBC and we look forward to having the same with PNC."
David Ranii has been a business reporter at The News & Observer since 1993. Over the years he has covered information technology, banking, insurance, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, media businesses and real estate. Contact him at 919-829-4877 or
Comments
RBC center
Wed, 06/22/2011 - 22:41 — catalpa4I think since there has not been a good coach or an excellent team since NCST left Reynolds that the only name you all have that is really a winner in Ms. Yow that passed away with cancer. She will never be forgotten even from the Tar Heels.
Goodbye, RBC Center
Fri, 08/12/2011 - 12:20 — kpowellI think The Kay Yow Memorial Arena would be an excellent name. She certainly deserves it. If not that, at least name it after a North Carolina based company.
you are absolutely right
Thu, 06/23/2011 - 12:03 — SurferBut in all seriousness, this subject is way too serious for how this conversation has gone up to this point. She does, however, have her name associatied with the FB Spring game, I think. See, TOB can do something right.
TOB IS THE MAN
Thu, 06/23/2011 - 14:03 — JPDOhioTOB does many things right, including, but not limited to, using second-class recruits as he continues his dominance over the 4 and 5 star laden rival in blue on the gridiron.
Regarding the about to be renamed RBC Center, when I look at "PNC Arena" during my annual fall trip to Carter-Finley, I will feel, for a moment, like I am back home.
Now, if NC State could play like the major college team that resides down the road from PNC Bank's headquarters in downtown Pittsburgh, then......
Nice
Thu, 06/23/2011 - 14:50 — SurferOkay, I better get this in while I can. Yes, TOB has four victories in a row over UNC, not in dominating fashion in all games, except perhaps one (but I don't remember the score for that one). But overall, he only has one winning season compared to three for Coach Davis (thus my reference to the timing of this response). Yes, TOB proclaims to have the best program, and I have seen it on a t-shirt, but based upon the last two seasons, I am not yet convinced.
As far as the PNC Arena, my concern is that others, while sitting in CF, look out at the PNC Arena name, that the practice of releaving themselves in public (note: I cannot substantiate this, but is only rumor or heresay in my book) may be even more likely than in the past.
4-0 = Domination
Thu, 06/23/2011 - 21:05 — JPDOhioJust warming up here with two months to go. Never too early.
Anyway, goodbye RBC, hello PNC.
Any word on whether the Canadian born Hurricanes are going to protest at center ice?
Eh?
definitions
Fri, 06/24/2011 - 11:44 — Surfer63-31-6 = Domination
(footnote: The good news, the vacated wins potential will not impact these numbers)
4-0 = Miraculous
(And would you believe it: NCSU is actually closer in baseball, 152-125-1 and basketball, 144-75; than in football? But you gotta give TOB credit, he leads all coaches (on either side in t-shirt production) and is falling behind in the parade category (that is a plus, by the way)
No word on the hockey team, they are just glad that the seats aren't red.
ONe more area of domination
Fri, 06/24/2011 - 12:38 — JPDOhioLet's not forget the one area where Butch clearly dominates TOB. That would be the number of games missed by uninjured players due to alleged rule violations. Butch has truly brought UNC into the big leagues in this area.
good one
Fri, 06/24/2011 - 14:18 — SurferAnd to make it better, in big games (LSU), no less. IIRC, TOB sat a few, but not against the strongest of opponents.
so we agree
Fri, 06/24/2011 - 15:10 — JPDOhioTOB does a better job of managing his program than Butch does.
That assumes, of course, that Butch does any managing at all, considering he is apparently oblivious to what his right-hand man, his personal employee and his best players were doing.
Well
Fri, 06/24/2011 - 17:41 — Heels20Easier to manage your program when agents don't care about your players ;)
In the words of old school Bud commercials
Fri, 06/24/2011 - 22:52 — gvillegatrTRUE
drums please
Fri, 06/24/2011 - 23:39 — JPDOhioDa-Da-Dump.
Program
Fri, 06/24/2011 - 16:30 — SurferYes, but Butch has the better program ;)
Sendek Center
Mon, 06/20/2011 - 15:50 — Heels20Has a nice ring to it, and honors the winningest basketball coach the Pack has had in the era of this arena.
Heh
Sounds good
Tue, 06/21/2011 - 12:13 — SurferAnd also add, "Sidney Lowe Court", because he beat UNC once there.
jUST TO CLOSE THE LOOP
Tue, 06/21/2011 - 13:19 — JPDOhioWith all due respect to the old Yankee Stadium, the full name would be:
Sidney Lowe Court at Sendek Arena, the House that Julius Built. "The Hodge" for short.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Tue, 06/21/2011 - 15:26 — Heels20I think we have a winner
go ahead, have your fun
Tue, 06/21/2011 - 09:05 — JPDOhioJust remember what Mark Twain said about reports of his death.
(BTW, I did enjoy that suggestion.)
Shame, shame
Mon, 06/20/2011 - 17:42 — gvillegatrThere ya go making sense again, 20.
Couldn't resist
Mon, 06/20/2011 - 18:07 — Heels20Just too good of an opportunity
RBC Center
Mon, 06/20/2011 - 14:51 — troop794Well, if the Pack moves back to Reynolds, and the RBC name comes down, then we get an opportunity to give the arena the name it deserved all along. "The Money Pit".
Just a Reminder
Mon, 06/20/2011 - 14:46 — jskinner23Last I heard, the ESA/RBC/PNC Center had used its Stanley Cup run to earn a reputation for being the loudest house in the NHL. Am I the only person who believes this rep could easily carry over to the NC State basketball team if they ever put a winning product on the floor (something that is near impossible to do these days in recruiting wars without first class facilities like the ESA/RBC/PNC Center)?
*Written by someone who was a student at NC State before the ESA/RBC/PNC center was built and attended games in Reynolds.
Answer
Tue, 06/21/2011 - 12:18 — SurferShort answer: Yes.
Long answer: Yes, until they start selling alchohol to the general public at State's bb games, then the answer would be no, you are not the only person who believes....
I go to every game...
Wed, 06/22/2011 - 11:08 — willncsubecause I have seats in the champions club. Its like a "private" club inside the RBC center overlooking the court behind the north goal. Free food that is pretty good and you can buy beer and liquor during the games. It is great.
Pick me ! Pick me !
Thu, 06/23/2011 - 15:24 — gvillegatrPlease take me to a game. I want to go sit in rarified air inside the champions club !! I just have to see the National Championship Bass Trophy !!
All 3?
Fri, 06/24/2011 - 10:45 — willncsuDont know about that.
Time to Move..
Mon, 06/20/2011 - 14:20 — wjollyTime for the Pack to move back into Reynolds Coliseum....and reclaim their history and homecourt advantage....
Great idea
Tue, 06/21/2011 - 12:24 — SurferThis would do wonders for attendance.
time to move....
Mon, 06/20/2011 - 14:27 — louis12580AMEN!!!! I've been saying the same things for several years now. Time to "Bring in the Noise, Bring in the Funk."
State plays basketball at
Mon, 06/20/2011 - 19:01 — ctillState plays basketball at the RBC/PNC Center? Really? I wouldn't have known. ;)