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<p>WILKES-BARRE TWP. &#8212; The signs on the Mohegan Sun Arena can stay in place for quite a while under a new naming-rights deal announced Thursday.</p><p>The Luzerne County Convention Center Authority will receive $2.875 million over 10 years via the agreement with Mohegan Sun, which boasts a casino, hotel, convention center and harness racing track nearby in Plains Township.</p><p>Ed Harry, chairman of the 11-member authority that oversees the arena, said the partnership has worked out well for the first 10 years.</p><p>&#8220;We are looking forward to continue another 10 years,&#8221; Harry said.</p><p>The authority will receive $275,000 for each of the first five years of the contract and $300,000 for each of the remaining five years. The term runs from January 2020 to January 2030.</p><p>Under the existing contract, the authority was paid $225,000 for the first half and $250,000 for the second half.</p><p>Having its name on the arena and having it seen by people who attend the shows, hockey games and events there enhances Mohegan Sun&#8217;s efforts to make a positive impact in Northeastern Pennsylvania, said Erica Tessier, vice president of marketing at Mohegan Sun Pocono.</p><p>&#8220;And I know that Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza and Mohegan Sun Pocono have a mutual understanding of our importance in striving to be the most responsible ambassadors in the region,&#8221; Tessier said.</p><p>Mohegan Sun Pocono is one of the &#8220;largest economic influencers&#8221; in the region, added Brian Sipe, who manages the arena for SMG.</p><p>&#8220;Our sponsors are truly the lifeblood of the venue and our partnership with our friends at Mohegan Sun Pocono has been second to none,&#8221; Sipe said.</p><p>The naming-rights announcement coincided with the 20th season for the facility that opened in late 1999. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, who play in the American Hockey League, have been the anchor tenant since then.</p><p>Negotiations have begun for new contracts with the Penguins and SMG.</p><p>Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins president and CEO Jeff Barrett recalled moving to the area in 1998 to prepare to start up the team. He acknowledged he had &#8220;no idea&#8221; what to expect.</p><p>In the 19 seasons the club has skated here, it&#8217;s been in the playoffs 17 times, played 746 regular season games, 103 playoff games and sent numerous players and coaches on to the NHL.</p><p>&#8220;We&#8217;re really excited about this season,&#8221; said Barrett.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Jeff Barrett, left, president and CEO of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, watches the team practice Thursday morning on its home ice in preparation for the start of its 20th season at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre Township. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/web1_TTL092818arena2.jpg</photo0><caption0>Jeff Barrett, left, president and CEO of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, watches the team practice Thursday morning on its home ice in preparation for the start of its 20th season at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre Township. </caption0><photoCredit0>Aimee Dilger | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/web1_TTL092818arena1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">A 20th anniversary season logo was unveiled at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Township. Mohegan Sun&#8217;s name will be on the arena for another 10 years under a contract announced Thursday. Taking part in the unveiling were, from left to right: Erica Tessier, vice president of marketing at Mohegan Sun Pocono; Ed Harry, chairman of the Luzerne County Convention Center Authority that oversees the arena; Tux, the mascot of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey team whose home ice is the arena; and authority member Donna Cupinski. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/web1_TTL092818arena1.jpg</photo1><caption1>A 20th anniversary season logo was unveiled at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Township. Mohegan Sun&#8217;s name will be on the arena for another 10 years under a contract announced Thursday. Taking part in the unveiling were, from left to right: Erica Tessier, vice president of marketing at Mohegan Sun Pocono; Ed Harry, chairman of the Luzerne County Convention Center Authority that oversees the arena; Tux, the mascot of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey team whose home ice is the arena; and authority member Donna Cupinski. </caption1><photoCredit1>Aimee Dilger | Times Leader </photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Jerry Lynott</p><p>jlynott@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLJerryLynott.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Under new deal, name to remain same at Mohegan Sun Arena until 2030