"If Preds get their way, name 'Nashville Arena' will be back
By BRYAN MULLEN
Staff Writer
The Predators, already struggling with lukewarm fan support, have apparently had no luck finding a sponsor to step up and pay for the naming rights to the Gaylord Entertainment Center, and the hockey team wants to change the name back to the Nashville Arena.
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Gaylord Entertainment Co. signed a 20-year, $80 million naming rights and partial ownership deal with the Predators in 1999. But the agreement was terminated in 2004, with Gaylord agreeing to pay the Predators more than $9 million over the next five years.
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The Predators declined to comment Wednesday but have repeatedly said they are working to get a new naming rights partner for the arena.
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Money from naming rights is important to NHL teams, especially ones in small markets like Nashville. The Predators rely heavily on the National Hockey League's revenue sharing, have struggled with corporate support, and are still looking for a minority owner to help improve ties with the city's corporate community."
link to full article:
http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070308/SPORTS02/703080410/1028