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Thompson-Boling Arena Receiving Upgrades and Name Change

On Wednesday, the Tennessee Volunteers athletic department announced a lot of changes coming to the historic Thompson-Boling Arena.

On Wednesday, it was revealed by Tennessee's athletic department that some major changes were coming to Thompson-Boling Arena shortly.

These renovation announcements are coming on the tail end of both Neyland Stadium and Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Tennessee Athletics have big plans for their sports as White is putting together special plans to make Vols sports bigger than before. The changes to Thompson-Boling Arena include a change to the name and the amenities at the arena. Athletic director Danny White sold the naming rights of the building to Food City, deeming the new venue as the Food City Center at Thompson-Boling Arena.

Food City is a popular grocery store chain in Tennessee where its roots as a company have been. They will pay $20 million to the university over the next decade and assist with different upgrades like a new video board at mid-court. Another addition to the arena is new seating and suites within the arena. Thompson-Boling Arena needed an upgrade. The arena has been open since 1987 and has seen little upgrades. The only big renovations happened back in 2006 with new seating, now the current scoreboard, and improvements within the arena's concourses.

If anything, it allows the Tennessee basketball program to grow even more with the innovative improvements Food City will bring to the building. It may draw in recruits and more fans towards an arena that will be greatly improved. Overall, it can enhance Tennessee hoops' popularity amongst Tennessee fans around the globe. The Vols' first game in their newly named arena will be on Monday, November 6th, against Tennessee Tech. The Volleyball team will get the first crack at playing in the Food City Center before them this fall. 

Tennessee HC Rick Barnes

Tennessee HC Rick Barnes

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