Latest news with #GrandCasinoArena
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Minnesota Wild Arena Renamed
This offseason is a pivotal one for the Minnesota Wild as they finally have money to spend. With the Ryan Suter and Zach Parise contracts off the books general manager Bill Guerin has some room to operate. The biggest possible splash for Minnesota is to lock up superstar Kirill Kaprizov for years to come. A contract extension is going to be expensive, and it may have him as the highest paid player in the league. Advertisement When Kaprizov and his teammates take the ice next season, they'll do so at the same arena, but with a new name. Related Headlines Grand Casino Arena is MN Wild's new home Since the Minnesota Wild first dropped the puck 25 years ago fans have been flooding into the Xcel Energy Center. The arena quickly became known as 'The X' and now it will take fans time to adjust if they do at all. Naming rights are all about money. The Minnesota Wild's contract with Xcel Energy came to a close. There was a possibility the company would renegotiate, but it seemed likely that both sides were set to move on. With Grand Casino stepping in, the Wild have a new primary sponsor and an influx of negotiated cash. Advertisement Previous reports had Securian Financial as a potential suitor. That may have worked towards fans adopting an easier moniker with the arena simply going as the Securian Center. Grand Casino Arena is probably going to take a bit longer to catch on. 'Grand Casino Arena will serve as the anchor of a dynamic entertainment district that transforms downtown Saint Paul,The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe has been a strong supporter of and investor in this city. We are thrilled for their partnership and support of the arena.' Craig Leipold – Minnesota Wild The new naming rights partnership is a 14-year deal that begins on September 3, 2025. All signage throughout the arena will be replaced to reflect the change. With the Minnesota Wild choosing a gaming sponsor for their naming rights, you can only envision an increased level of visibility when it comes to gambling. The sports world has already embraced betting. It's only logical that we'll continue to see more gambling-based partnerships in the future. Related Headlines
CBS News
30-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center, home of the Wild, to become Grand Casino Arena in September
U.S. Senate prepares to vote on 'big, beautiful bill,' and more morning headlines for Monday U.S. Senate prepares to vote on 'big, beautiful bill,' and more morning headlines for Monday U.S. Senate prepares to vote on 'big, beautiful bill,' and more morning headlines for Monday The Minnesota Wild announced Monday that their stadium will be known as the Grand Casino Arena starting this September. The announcement comes as Xcel Energy's naming rights for the arena expire after 25 years. Minnesota Sports and Entertainment, which operates the arena, and Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley, owned by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, are entering a 14-year naming rights partnership. All exterior and interior signage will be replaced with the new "Grand Casino Arena" branding before the start of the 2025-26 NHL regular season, which is scheduled to begin in October. Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Chief Executive Virgil Wind says entering the partnership is one of the "bold steps" the band is making to strengthen its economy as its casinos have seen a steady decline in visitation. "This will put the Grand Casino brand in front of millions of Minnesotans and visitors every year at hockey games, concerts and major events. It also puts our story, the story of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, on a statewide and national stage," Wind said. "Traditional advertising isn't enough anymore if we want Grand Casinos and the band's economic future to thrive; we need visibility, brand recognition and a connection with new audiences." A rendering of the Grand Casino Arena Minnesota Wild Wind added that no tribal government dollars were used for the partnership, and it was funded using Grand Casino's existing marketing budget. "It's not just business. It's an investment in our sovereignty, an investment into our future, an investment that shows the strength of the last band," Wind said. "Change can be very difficult, but it's necessary. Our ancestors taught us to plan for the future generations and to act with courage, to act with wisdom and to care for those yet to come. Let me be clear, this isn't just about putting our name on a building. It's about building lasting visibility and relevance, especially with the next generation." Despite the name change, Xcel Energy will remain a partner of the Wild, working together to expand access to ice hockey for children and families throughout the state through its "Community Power Play" program. The soon-to-be-renamed arena could also undergo a physical transformation soon, as the Wild and City of St. Paul are asking for help from the Minnesota Legislature in paying for a $488 million renovation of the complex. Officials say the state's funding "would help expand the Xcel Energy Center's north wall along 5th Street to improve the northeast entrance security area, increase ADA accessibility, reduce congestion in corridors and update restroom plumbing." The Wild and City of St. Paul initially pursued a $770 million renovation project, which also included the RiverCentre and Roy Wilkins Auditorium. They had hoped about half of the funding — $394 million — would come from a state General Fund appropriations bond, which needs approval by lawmakers. Now, they are seeking only $50 million from the state. and contributed to this report.
Washington Post
30-06-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Wild now play at Grand Casino Arena after new naming rights deal succeeds Xcel Energy Center
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild will play the upcoming season at Grand Casino Arena, after a naming rights deal with the tribal gaming and hospitality company that succeeds the venue's original name, Xcel Energy Center. The Wild's parent organization, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment, announced on Monday the 14-year agreement with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe that takes effect on Sept. 3. The tribe operates two casino-resort complexes in east-central Minnesota, north of the Twin Cities.
Reuters
30-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Minnesota Wild's facility renamed Grand Casino Arena
June 30 - The operators of Xcel Energy Center, home of the NHL's Minnesota Wild and PWHL's Minnesota Frost, announced a name change for the facility on Monday. The 18,000-seat arena in downtown Saint Paul will be known as Grand Casino Arena starting on Sept. 3. Minnesota Sports & Entertainment signed a 14-year naming rights partnership with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, owners of the building. "Grand Casino Arena will serve as the anchor of a dynamic entertainment district that transforms downtown Saint Paul," said Craig Leipold, majority owner and principal investor in Minnesota Sports & Entertainment. "The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe has been a strong supporter of and investor in this city. We are thrilled for their partnership and support of the arena." Xcel Energy had held the naming rights since the building opened in 2000. "This is more than a name change -- it's a signal of where we're headed as a business," said Ronda Weizenegger, chief executive officer of Grand Casino. "Grand Casino Arena represents the strength of tribal enterprise, and our ongoing investment in Minnesota's future. We're proud to partner with the Minnesota Wild to bring this vision to life." --Field Level Media
Associated Press
30-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Wild now play at Grand Casino Arena after new naming rights deal succeeds Xcel Energy Center
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Wild will play the upcoming season at Grand Casino Arena, after a naming rights deal with the tribal gaming and hospitality company that succeeds the venue's original name, Xcel Energy Center. The Wild's parent organization, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment, announced on Monday the 14-year agreement with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe that takes effect on Sept. 3. The tribe operates two casino-resort complexes in east-central Minnesota, north of the Twin Cities. The arena, which has about 18,000 seats for hockey, opened in 2000 for the Wild's inaugural season in the NHL on a 25-year naming rights deal with Xcel Energy that expired this summer. The utility provider remains a community and business partner of the club. In addition to Wild games, the downtown arena in Minnesota's capital has hosted four NCAA Men's Frozen Four events, two U.S. figure skating championships, two U.S. gymnastics championships, a Republican National Convention and numerous high school state tournaments, concerts and shows. ___ AP NHL:
