No More Wachovia (In Wilkes-Barre)

In what some arena managers will hope doesn’t turn into a trend, the new bosses of Wachovia have decided to forego keeping the bank’s name on one Pennsylvanian venue.

Proposals are being solicited for a new naming rights sponsor for the SMG-managed Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre township. The banking company was recently merged with Wells Fargo Bank and officials chose not to renew the $100,000-a-year contract.

Originally the Northeaster Pennsylvania Civic Arena, it became Wachovia Arena when the bank merged with First Union Bank, which held the original naming rights, in 2002.

The building is owned by Luzerne County Convention Center Authority, which is issuing a Request for Proposals for a new sponsor.

The bank’s name is on two flagship venues: the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia and, across the street, the Wachovia Spectrum. A spokesman for the buildings had not heard of any changes on the horizon. Either way, the Spectrum is expected to be shuttered at the end of the season.

“Wells Fargo will evaluate each contract on a case-by-case basis,” Wells Fargo spokeswoman Mary Beth Navarro told Pollstar.

“With regard to re-branding existing naming rights venues with current contracts, Wells Fargo has not yet made decisions about when we will re-brand those venues.”