Well it happened. We told you about the possibility that the naming rights to Mariucci Arena could be sold by the University of Minnesota back in May. Monday morning, the U announced that 3M has agreed to a 14-year, $11.2 Million sponsorship of Gopher Athletics that includes the naming rights to Mariucci Arena. The place Gopher Hockey plays will now be named 3M Arena at Mariucci.
Minnesota Athletics Director Mark Coyle gave the standard statement extolling the virtues of the deal for the university as a whole and stating that the 3M cash will be going to pay for the Athlete’s Village:
“Today’s announcement brings together three names instantly recognizable across Minnesota – Mariucci, Gopher Hockey and 3M – and that’s certainly exciting.