Mon Jun 30 17:30:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

The Xcel Energy Center, home of the Minnesota Wild, will be renamed Grand Casino Arena in September after a 14-year naming rights deal between Minnesota Sports and Entertainment and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. While Xcel Energy will still maintain a presence in the arena, the change comes as their original naming rights agreement expires. Despite efforts from the city of St. Paul and the Wild, a request for $50 million in state funding for arena renovations was unsuccessful in this year’s budget. The team and mayor vow to continue pursuing funding for future improvements.

**News Article:**

**Grand Casino Arena to Replace Xcel Energy Center After Naming Rights Deal; State Renovation Funding Fails**

**ST. PAUL, Minn. -** The Xcel Energy Center, a St. Paul landmark and home of the Minnesota Wild, is set to be renamed Grand Casino Arena this September. Minnesota Sports and Entertainment (MSE) announced Monday a 14-year agreement with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe for the arena’s naming rights.

The change comes as the original naming rights partnership with Xcel Energy expires this summer, marking the end of an era that began when the arena opened in 2000. While the building’s name will change, Xcel Energy will maintain a corporate presence inside the arena.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe as our new naming rights partner,” said a spokesperson for MSE. “This is an exciting chapter for the arena and for the Minnesota Wild.”

The arena, which hosts a wide variety of events in addition to Wild games, is facing the need for significant renovations. The City of St. Paul and the Minnesota Wild had jointly sought $50 million in state funding to help cover these costs, with a commitment to cover any remaining expenses. However, the request for state funds was not included in the final state budget agreement.

“While we are disappointed that the state funding did not come through this year, we remain committed to securing the necessary resources to ensure the Grand Casino Arena remains a premier venue for years to come,” said St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter in a statement. The Minnesota Wild echoed this sentiment, pledging to continue advocating for state support.

Despite the setback, the new partnership with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe signals a fresh start for the arena, and the team will continue to push for the necessary upgrades to maintain its status as a top destination for sports and entertainment in Minnesota.

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