CLEVELAND (CelebrityAccess) Quicken Loans Arena, home to the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers and AHL’s Cleveland Monsters, has a new name amid a massive renovation.
Details of the naming rights agreement were not disclosed but what the new name of “The Q” has a tie-in to the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, which is based in Cleveland, according to Dan Gilbert, who founded Quicken Loans and has owned the Cavaliers since 2005. Gilbert said that he understands that the there will be consternation about renaming the arena, which was born as Gund Arena in 1994.
“I know that sometimes (with) change, you get a little resistance and people say, ‘Why are they changing it?’ and ‘How’s that name going to work?’ ” Gilbert said. “We heard that initially when it was the Gund Arena to Quicken Loans Arena. I think after time there will probably be some kind of short nickname that takes place naturally and it will fit right in perfect with Cleveland, Ohio, for a lot of reasons.”
🚨 ANNOUNCEMENT TIME! 🚨
Cleveland’s premier sports and entertainment showplace is officially changing from Quicken Loans Arena to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse! pic.twitter.com/MMgLvxLFkF
— Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans (@RocketMortgage) April 9, 2019
The building saw its heyday when it hosted local hero LeBron James, but the Cavaliers have struggled since King James left for Los Angeles. The renaming was announced Tuesday, hours before hosting the Charlotte Hornets in their season finale.
Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse is in the middle of a $185 million renovation that will increase square footage from 95,380 to 152,970. It includes a new glass facade, an expanded atrium, eight new hospitality spaces and cutting-edge technology. It is expected to shutter in May and reopen with Ohio natives The Black Keys Sept. 30. Concerts on the books include Carrie Underwood Oct. 16, Celine Dion Oct. 18, and Elton John Nov. 11.
The building is scheduled to host the 2022 NBA All-STar game for its 75th anniversary and the Women’s Final Four in 2024.
“Since 1994, Cleveland has shared countless unforgettable moments at this arena. From hosting world-class music acts to multiple NBA Finals games, the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse has been the epicenter of entertainment in Cleveland for decades,” Gilbert said Tuesday. “Today marks the beginning of the next chapter in the evolution of this incredible facility, as not just one of the world’s premier sports and entertainment venues, but a hub of technology that is leading the charge in innovation, efficiency and fan experience.”
