To nobody’s surprise, the new home of the Detroit Red Wings will be called Little Caesars Arena.
From today’s announcement:
The 20-year naming rights agreement averaging more than $6.25 million per year paves the way for Little Caesars Arena branding on the roof of the arena, on the exterior, at entrances and at center ice, among other opportunities. ... The agreement is estimated to be the largest investment in a naming sponsorship for a building whose sole professional sport is hockey.
Little Caesars was, of course, founded by Red Wings owners Mike and Marian Ilitch.
The Wings are scheduled to move into their new home in 2017. Once they do, Calgary’s Scotiabank Saddledome will become the oldest arena in the NHL, not counting Madison Square Garden, which recently underwent a $1 billion renovation.
The Edmonton Oilers will move into a new building next season.
Related: Flames ‘remain committed’ to arena plan, which city report called ‘not feasible’