After 15 years, 45 Manitoba Drive in Toronto, Ontario will be no longer be called Ricoh Coliseum. Coca-Cola Canada has bought the naming rights for 96-year-old building that the Toronto Marlies call home. Ricoh Coliseum will officially be named Coca-Cola Coliseum in time for the 2018-19 season that begins on October 5th (Home opener October 8th).

Ricoh Canada, the printer manufacturer, bought the rights to the City of Toronto owned, but Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment operated building named “The Coliseum” in 2003 after it was decided that the City of Toronto would move forward in upgrading the building in time for the St. John’s Maple Leafs’ move to Toronto in 2005. It was a 10-year agreement for $10 million, with a five-year option to keep the name in place. The option was exercised in 2013, but those extra five years have now run out and the building needs a new name.

In a press release, MLSE and The Coca-Cola Company announced that they have a partnership “that strengthens their shared commitment to community” that will include the buying of naming rights to the Coliseum. The release states that this is a 10-year partnership that includes the donation of a suite for non-profit community organizations for each Marlies home game, as well as opening the rink for several community skates throughout the season. The Marlies have been big on bringing kids and families to games in an affordable way, so these promises made by MLSE and Coke are right on brand.

There is no official word on the price paid for the naming rights or the other aspects of the sponsorship. For now, it’s a 10-year agreement with no mention of an extension in place. MLSE and Scotiabank agreed to a 20-year deal for Scotiabank Arena (formerly Air Canada Centre) for reference.

So...Coca-Cola Coliseum, eh. It doesn’t have quite the same ring to it as Ricoh did. Too many syllables. Now would be a good time to come up with a witty nickname that will feel weird for the first few years, force people to want to go back to calling it RIcoh, only for the naming rights to change again just as people were coming around to it. What do you think it should be called?

Coca-Cola Coliseum should be....

CCC99
Triple C57
The Coke Machine134
The House that Connor Carrick Built35
The Coca-Colaseum167
The Coliseum80
Ricoh 4eva!49

Thanks to Bobby for that last one. A true winner.

Toronto Marlies