Quinnipiac University’s TD Bank Sports Center is getting a new name: the People’s United Center.
Bridgeport-based People’s United Bank acquired the naming rights as part of a 10-year, $10 million partnership with the university that also gives a financial boost to QU’s School of Business.
Under the agreement, announced Thursday and effective July 1, People’s United will donate $5 million to the business school’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Center for Women and Business.
Officials said the centers will also be renamed to reflect the People’s Bank brand. Both offer programming, support and networking for business students and entrepreneurs on campus and in the community.
Quinnipiac said it will match the donation and switch its university-wide banking, including campus ATMs and a bank branch, to People’s for the life of the pact.
“Partnering with Quinnipiac was a natural fit for People’s United Bank,” People’s United President Jeff Tengel said in a statement. “I believe that it’s our shared focus around small business entrepreneurship, career development and the advancement of women in business that will make this relationship really take off.”
Quinnipiac has been looking for a new corporate sponsor since its 10-year agreement with TD Bank expired and was not renewed last year.
The 185,000-square-foot dual-arena sports complex has been known as the TD Bank Sports Center since it opened in 2007 as part of the university’s York Hill campus. It is home to Quinnipiac’s Division I men’s and women’s ice hockey and basketball teams.
Quinnipiac President John Lahey said the partnership “will benefit the entire university community as well as the tens of thousands of fans” who attend games at the sports center each year, while also improving the business school.
People’s United Bank has more than 400 locations in Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
Natalie Missakian can be reached at news@newhavenbiz.com
