Carolina Hurricanes make major franchise change involving their arena ahead of the 2024-25 NHL season

Lenovo is getting ready to take over the naming rights for the Carolina Hurricanes' arena in Raleigh, with its name already going up on signs just a day before the venue's owners are set to make it official.

PNC Bank had been the sponsor of the arena since 2012, but their contract expired late in August. Ironically, the new name of the Lenovo Center was shown as an accident in the EA Sports NHL 25 Trailer.

Though workers have tried to keep them shrouded, Lenovo signs are already going up outside the arena. One tarp had been torn off by the wind, offering up a partial glimpse anyway. Inside meanwhile, there are even more overt hints, like newly painted purple walls, and visible Lenovo logos in some areas.

Headquartered just 13 miles away in Morrisville, North Carolina, Lenovo has been a neighbor for nearly 20 years and currently employs approximately 2,500 people across the state. A well-renowned brand, Lenovo is responsible for products such as the ThinkPad. They have been affiliated with the Hurricanes before, as the Lenovo logo has been on the Hurricanes' helmets since 2021.

The Centennial Authority that owns the arena will finalize the new naming deal on Thursday. The naming money will be divided between the Authority, the Hurricanes, and NC State, whose men's basketball team also calls the arena home.

The arena has gone through several name changes in the past, starting as the Entertainment & Sports Arena, then RBC took over in 2002, followed by PNC Bank in 2012.

Looking to the future, the Hurricanes just revealed their vision for the first phase of a major arena redevelopment set to begin construction in December 2025, commencing with two new parking structures. It will continue to expand into a full-fledged entertainment plaza over the years.

Source: wralSPORTSfan
Lenovo signage installation begins at Hurricanes arena