Gampel family unhappy with UConn’s M&T Bank arena naming rights deal
The family of Harry Gampel, a UConn graduate, developer and philanthropist who gave $1M to help finance the arena, is “unhappy with the name change” that adds M&T Bank to Gampel Pavilion’s name. In a letter to The Hartford Courant, the Gampel family “expressed disappointment in the addition of a sponsor, M&T Bank,” and said that they “weren’t consulted about the change.” UConn announced Gampel Pavilion would be known as M&T Bank Center at Gampel Pavilion on Oct. 21 with the two sides agreeing to a 20-year-deal worth $32.5M. The family wrote, “This shocking reality is a despicable and disrespectful way to honor the legacy of our father.” They continued, “When then President John Casteen, III signed a pledge to our father that his full name would be featured on the pavilion in perpetuity, no one expected that commitment to be breached.” UConn said in a statement that it “communicated with an attorney representing members of the family prior to the announcement, and continues to seek opportunities to meet to discuss their concerns and share the university’s existing and planned recognition of Mr. Gampel” (HARTFORD COURANT, 11/7).
