TD Banknorth Garden To Keep Name Through NBA/NHL Seasons

New Name For TD Banknorth Garden Has Yet  To Be Chosen, But Will Include "TD," "Garden"

TD Banknorth Garden had been scheduled to be renamed this year to match the new TD Bank moniker, but officials have decided that it would be "too complicated to replace signs and scoreboards in the middle of the Bruins and Celtics seasons," according to Ross Kerber of the BOSTON GLOBE. Garden President John Wentzell said that Delaware North Cos., which owns the arena, was "worried it would take weeks to make changes such as redoing the words 'TD Banknorth Garden' that appear near the center of the ice surface." Wentzell: "After the teams are done with their seasons, then we'll go through the full rebranding effort." Kerber noted the changes, which also include replacing scoreboard signage and reprogramming the LED scrolls, "is expected to cost millions of dollars." Meanwhile, TD Bank VP/Corporate Communications Neil Parmenter said that the arena's new name "has not been chosen," but added it will contain both "TD" and "Garden" (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/13).

WINNING EQUATION: In Boston, Thomas Grillo reported with both the Celtics and Bruins in first place in their respective divisions, things "are looking up for the Garden." The Celtics have sold out every home game this season after doing the same during the '07-08 campaign, and the Bruins "are on track to sell the highest number of tickets" since the venue opened for the '95-96 season. Wentzell: "The winning teams have helped us to maximize our business model. Buildings like the Garden are built on the backs of a major tenant or, in our case, two tenants, and you need their success for that model to work" (BOSTON HERALD, 12/14).