Consol Energy gets naming rights for arena

PITTSBURGH, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- The coal and gas company Consol Energy Inc. has won the naming rights for the new Pittsburgh Penguins hockey arena.

The deal means that the arena will be known as the Consol Energy Center for 21 years after its opening for the 2010-2011 season, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. The team has not released the amount of money involved, but Consol is believed to be paying millions of dollars.

Marc Ganis of Sportscorp Ltd., a Chicago company, suggested that Consol is paying $2 million a year.

Mario Lemieux, co-owner of the Penguins, announced the awarding of the naming rights Monday at a news conference. He said that Consol's money would help keep the Penguins a competitive NHL team.

Several years ago, H.J. Heinz Inc. agreed to pay $2.85 million a year for 20 years for naming rights to Heinz Field, where the NFL Pittsburgh Steelers play. PNC Financial Services Inc. is putting up $1.8 million a year for PNC Park, the Pirates' stadium.