Wild-Xcel Energy ‘energize’ partnership

Article posted by Coliseum, May 6^th, 2025

Image: Xcel Energy Center, Bri Weldon, CC BY 2.0

The National Hockey League (NHL) team Minnesota Wild recently announced a new multiyear partnership with the utilities company Xcel Energy. As part of the new agreement Xcel Energy will continue to be a major community and business partner of the Minnesota Wild.

‘MINNESOTA WILD’ stated that the existing arena naming rights agreement with Xcel Energy will conclude this Summer after a successful 25-year partnership.

The Minnesota Wild is a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota (US). The Wild compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference. The team plays its home games at the Xcel Energy Center and is owned by Craig Leipold.

The 20,554-capacity Xcel Energy Center is a multipurpose arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States. Completed in 2000 and often called ‘The X’ by the fans it is named for its locally based corporate sponsor Xcel Energy.

Xcel Energy is a United States regulated electric utility and natural gas delivery company that provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern States. Headquartered in Minneapolis the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices.

Stated Leipold, “We are extremely thankful for our 25-year naming and team marketing rights partnership with Xcel Energy. Xcel Energy has been an incredible supporter of our team since our inaugural season and we look forward to continuing to collaborate with them on a number of unique community initiatives as part of our new, long-term partnership.”

‘MINNESOTA WILD’ further stated that as part of the new partnership Xcel Energy will launch the ‘Community Power Play’ and work closely with the Minnesota Wild Community Relations and Hockey Partnerships team to expand access to the sport for the children and the families throughout the State of Hockey.

The program will provide grants to the youth and high school hockey organizations with a focus on three areas:

Financial assistance for the young athletes who may face barriers to the sport;
Purchase of equipment and ice time making the sport more affordable for the families; and
Investments and improvement of the local rinks and the facilities open to all the community members.

Narrated Bob Frenzel, Xcel Energy Chairman, President and head honcho, “Twenty-five (25) years ago the Minnesota Wild and Xcel Energy were new brands in the region. Today, these two brands have become embedded in our community and our culture. This new chapter with the Wild extends our commitment to the region and will serve to expand access to the sport of hockey so that more young girls and boys across the State can access and more fully engage in this wonderful sport.”

The Xcel Energy will also continue to have a presence in the team’s arena and online platforms.

The Minnesota Wild expects to announce a new arena naming rights partner before the start of the 2025-2026 NHL seasons.

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