Gampel Family Files Suit Against UConn Over Arena Naming Rights Deal

STORRS, CT — Two members of the Gampel family have filed a lawsuit against the University of Connecticut over the recent naming rights deal for the on-campus basketball arena.

It is now known as the M&T Bank Center at Gampel Pavilion. The terms of the naming rights deal were not disclosed.

The West Hartford law firm of Stein & Weiser are representing the family members, both who have Florida addresses. NBC Connecticut published the suit in its entirety.

Listed plaintiffs are the UConn Board of Trustees and the State of Connecticut.

The lawsuit was filed in Hartford and references the 1989 gift of $1 million from the family for the arena that replaced the old field house as the primary basketball venue on campus. The gift, the suits claims, was to name the arena "the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion" in "perpetuity."

The suit then says UConn entered into "some arrangement" without the prior consent of the family that reduced the family name "to a mere footnote."

The suit seeks, "An injunction requiring restoration of the signage, and "such other legal and equitable relief as the court deems appropriate."

UConn released the following statement:

"UConn continues to honor and revere Harry A. Gampel, his extraordinary generosity, and his legacy. Harry A. Gampel Pavilion remains one of the most iconic and beloved buildings on the Storrs Campus, known to generations of UConn students and Husky fans. The facility is undergoing a dramatic renovation and improvement. As part of these changes, the university is expanding its recognition of the Gampel name including, but not limited to, enhanced back-lit exterior signage at multiple public entrances to the facility, new interior floor-level signage where none existed before, expanded online recognition, and the creation of a physical tribute to Mr. Gampel and the arena’s championship history.

"The newest investments in Gampel are supporting the university’s efforts to enhance and extend the life of the facility while continuing to recognize Mr. Gampel and his important place in UConn history.

"The University communicated with representatives of members of the Gampel family prior to the announcement and has continued to seek opportunities to engage in person with interested family members to discuss their concerns and share the University’s existing and planned recognition of Mr. Gampel. Those invitations to meet have not yet been accepted.

"UConn is home to the best college basketball brand in the nation. The university is focused on making a renovated and revitalized Gampel one of the best college basketball facilities in the country."