On Monday, the “PNC Arena” sign came off the building where NC State Men’s Basketball and the Carolina Hurricanes play, with their naming rights contract ending on August 31st. Speculation swirled around the possibility of the building becoming the Lenovo Center, because a leaked image from NHL 25 had the Canes playing on the ice of the Lenovo Center.

There is no need for speculation any longer. It’s official. The Carolina Hurricanes announced this morning that the home of the Wolfpack and Canes is officially the Lenovo Center, beginning this month. Lenovo’s naming rights contract runs through the 2033-34 NHL season.

“Lenovo has been a valued partner of ours for many years,” said Fork. “We’re thrilled to elevate that partnership now by renaming the arena Lenovo Center. 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. As we transition to this new era, we are grateful for our longtime naming rights collaborator, PNC, who will continue to be a major partner of our organization.”

“This is an exciting day for Raleigh, Wake County, and the whole state of North Carolina,” said Philip Isley, Chairman of the Centennial Authority. “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. Lenovo has deep roots in North Carolina, and we’re thrilled that they are strengthening those roots with this naming rights agreement.”

“Lenovo has called North Carolina our home for nearly two decades. Like the Hurricanes, we take great pride in being a part of the Triangle community and we’re excited to expand our partnership with a world-class sports organization,” said Ryan McCurdy, Senior Vice President and President, Lenovo North America. “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.”

Lenovo is a Fortune Global 500 technology company with deep 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, with an estimated $1.5 billion economic and fiscal impact in North Carolina each year. Lenovo also supports the local community through philanthropic giving, employee volunteering, and community engagement initiatives.

(Link)

1999-2002 = Entertainment & Sports Arena

2002-2012 = RBC Center

2012-2024 = PNC Arena

2024-2034 = Lenovo Center

Pacific Elm Properties and Gale Force Sports and Entertainment unveiled today a “first look” of the forthcoming Raleigh Sports & Sports Entertainment District that will neighbor Carter-Finley Stadium and the building formerly known as PNC Arena.

The redevelopment of the 80-acre site, located just off I-40 and adjacent to Carter-Finley Stadium, will provide new opportunities for shopping, dining and entertainment throughout the year, and will feature a unique outdoor realm for sports tailgating and programming. Tenants and outdoor spaces will be curated to serve fans of the Hurricanes and NC State alike, offering new ways to gather before sporting events while honoring the classic tailgating experiences that people have grown to love.

Phase one of the development will include more than 200,000 square feet of entertainment and lifestyle retail, 150,000 square feet of office space, a 150-key hotel and more than 500 apartments. Additional phases will expand this variety of uses over the expected 15-year development timeline.

Ever since 2012, PNC Arena has been the home of NC State Men’s Basketball and the Carolina Hurricanes. Today, the sign “PNC Arena” came off of the building.

Video of PNC logo being removed from the home of the Carolina Hurricanes and N.C. State Wolfpack in Raleigh on Monday

Story here: https://t.co/wcHUgUmOpF pic.twitter.com/gTpXPtsKqM

— Triangle Business Journal (@TriangleBIZJrnl) September 9, 2024

PNC Bank’s naming rights contract ran out on August 31st.

The Hurricanes announced today that they had reached an agreement for PNC Bank to be the sponsor of the arena’s club and club-level seating.

Could the home of NC State Men’s Basketball be called the Lenovo Center Next?

In a leak from the video game NHL 25, the following image has Lenovo Center written on the ice of the Hurricane’s home arena.

Obviously it hasn’t been confirmed that Lenovo will be the next official sponsor of the arena, but the leaked image from the game  does seem oddly coincidental.

1999-2002 = Entertainment & Sports Arena

2002-2012 = RBC Center

2012-2024 = PNC Arena

2024-TBD = Lenovo Center?

NC State’s Women’s Basketball team will be playing in the 2024 Jimmy V Classic on December 15th at Louisville at 1pm on ABC.

Because the game will be against the Cardinals, it will serve as the Wolfpack’s ACC opener.

Here’s a look at the other matchups in the Women’s Jimmy V Classic.

This marks the 5th time that the NC State Women’s Basketball team has played in the Jimmy V Classic: UConn (2002), Texas (2003), Tennessee (2004), South Carolina (2020).

The Wolfpack are 8-8 all-time against Louisville, but are currently on a 5-game winnings streak against the Cardinals.

ESPN ranks NC State 8th in their Way-Too-Early 2024-25 Preseason Top-25, and they rank Louisville 12th. The Wolfpack finished 4th in the AP Poll last season, and the Cardinals finished 30th.