There is a name change coming to Luzerne County. In January, Wachovia Arena will have a new name.
The people who run the Wachovia Arena and those who run the slots casino near Wilkes-Barre said Wednesday it is a natural partnership. The two biggest entertainment complexes in Luzerne County are teaming up. The result is the new name, Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza.
The official name change doesn't take effect until January but it won't be long before the signs start going up saying Mohegan Sun Arena.
With a round of applause and a handshake Tuesday afternoon, the head of Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs stood before a wall of logos and helped announced a 10 year deal.
"We do have a strong appreciation of the importance of the arena to northeastern Pennsylvania, not only the tremendous entertainment it's brought to the region, but because of the economic development it has capitalized in this area," said Robert Soper of Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.
For 10 years, the arena near Wilkes-Barre has hosted hundreds of shows, concerts and events. It has brought entertainment to the area unlike any seen in Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre before.
For three years, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs has done a similar thing; a slot casino and entertainment complex drawing thousands of people a day.
Now the two will be a team.
"In this case, it's very exciting. They're a draw for the area as well, between the two of us, we probably absorb 90 percent or better of the entertainment that comes to this area," said Pat Judge of the Luzerne County Convention Authority.
"There were several different companies that we did talk to but we felt that they were the strongest partner and could bring the most to the table," said arena general manager Rebecca Bonnevier.
The arena has had is share of names over the years, starting as the Northeastern Pennsylvania Civic Arena in 1999. First Union Bank bought the naming rights in 2000. Wachovia took over First Union in 2003 and now in January it will be Mohegan Sun Arena.
Both sides said it will be more than just a name.
"It's exciting because we both have the ability to help each other with promotions and marketing. That really makes a difference," Judge added.
"I think it's a brand and a brand that we're really proud to be associated with," Bonnevier said.
The big question is how much is Mohegan Sun paying to get the naming rights? Neither side will release that until the contract is finalized sometime in the next week.
Wachovia paid $125,000 a year for the name.
All those who oversee the arena will say now is that they are, "very pleased" with the new deal.
The people who run the Wachovia Arena and those who run the slots casino near Wilkes-Barre said Wednesday it is a natural partnership. The two biggest entertainment complexes in Luzerne County are teaming up. The result is the new name, Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza.
The official name change doesn't take effect until January but it won't be long before the signs start going up saying Mohegan Sun Arena.
With a round of applause and a handshake Tuesday afternoon, the head of Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs stood before a wall of logos and helped announced a 10 year deal.
"We do have a strong appreciation of the importance of the arena to northeastern Pennsylvania, not only the tremendous entertainment it's brought to the region, but because of the economic development it has capitalized in this area," said Robert Soper of Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.
For 10 years, the arena near Wilkes-Barre has hosted hundreds of shows, concerts and events. It has brought entertainment to the area unlike any seen in Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre before.
For three years, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs has done a similar thing; a slot casino and entertainment complex drawing thousands of people a day.
Now the two will be a team.
"In this case, it's very exciting. They're a draw for the area as well, between the two of us, we probably absorb 90 percent or better of the entertainment that comes to this area," said Pat Judge of the Luzerne County Convention Authority.
"There were several different companies that we did talk to but we felt that they were the strongest partner and could bring the most to the table," said arena general manager Rebecca Bonnevier.
The arena has had is share of names over the years, starting as the Northeastern Pennsylvania Civic Arena in 1999. First Union Bank bought the naming rights in 2000. Wachovia took over First Union in 2003 and now in January it will be Mohegan Sun Arena.
Both sides said it will be more than just a name.
"It's exciting because we both have the ability to help each other with promotions and marketing. That really makes a difference," Judge added.
"I think it's a brand and a brand that we're really proud to be associated with," Bonnevier said.
The big question is how much is Mohegan Sun paying to get the naming rights? Neither side will release that until the contract is finalized sometime in the next week.
Wachovia paid $125,000 a year for the name.
All those who oversee the arena will say now is that they are, "very pleased" with the new deal.
