3M Arena at Mariucci rolls right off the tongue.
Big announcement today as three iconic Minnesota names come together: Mariucci, 3M and Gopher Men's Hockey.
Read: https://t.co/PLkq3FMOhX pic.twitter.com/vYxn4LR1cM
— Minnesota Golden Gophers (@GopherSports) July 10, 2017
That’s right, St. Paul-based 3M paid $11.2 million to plug its brand into the arena’s iconic name, the University of Minnesota announced Monday.
3M’s chief marketing officer Paul Acito said in a a statement that it was important to keep the Mariucci name intact.
“Our sponsorship of Mariucci Arena and Golden Gopher Hockey is a tribute to our Minnesota roots, and an opportunity to support a great Minnesota tradition alongside a new generation of fans,” said Acito. “Keeping the Mariucci name on the building is an important element of this agreement.”
John Mariucci Jr., son of the former Gophers player and coach whom the building was named after, isn’t upset with the change.
“We are happy that 3M and the U felt it was important to continue honoring our father and grandfather’s legacy and kept the Mariucci name tied to the arena,” he said in the press release. “It’s a privilege for our family to be so closely associated with two of Minnesota’s most recognizable and important institutions.”
According to the Star Tribune, the famous Williams Arena could be the next U of M sports facility to add naming rights to its title.
