The Penguins announced a deal with MD-based Allegheny
Energy to rename the Pittsburgh Civic Arena the Allegheny
Energy Dome. As part of the deal, Allegheny Energy will
become the facility's electric commodity supplier and will
sponsor the Iceoplex, the Penguins training facility. The
company will also explore ways to improve the facility for
the future, including working to develop appropriate energy
management measures for the arena (Allegheny Energy).
BURNED ENERGY? In Pittsburgh, Coleman & Ross Jr. report
that the deal could earn the team $5M over the next six
years. But officials of the Public Auditorium Authority,
which owns the arena, "said the team had no right to strike
the deal." Authority Board Member and City Councilmember
Dan Cohen: "There is nothing we see in the lease that gives
them the right to sell the naming rights." Authority Exec
Dir Jim Keisel said team officials, its management group and
the auditorium met two years ago "and agreed the Penguins
could sell advertising in and around the arena," but that
the Authority "would retain control over naming rights."
Penguins President Donn Patton did not remember specifics on
talks involving naming rights, but concluded that "it may
have been more prudent" to involve the Authority before
announcing the deal. Patton and arena manager SMG
"stressed" the deal is not final (TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 11/21).
