Climate Pledge Arena: Here’s what Seattle Kraken fans think of the new arena name

Climate Pledge Arena doesn’t exactly roll off your tongue. But the Seattle Kraken fans we spoke to on Saturday seemed indifferent, or in some cases excited, that the name of their new hockey arena was all about fighting the climate crisis.

GeekWire was in Seattle this weekend for the Kraken’s inaugural NHL home game at the Climate Pledge Arena, a newly remodeled $ 1 billion sports and entertainment center.

Seattle-based Amazon bought the naming rights last year and used the deal to promote its Climate Pledge initiative, announced in 2019, which sets the tech giant ambitious greenhouse gas emissions targets and urges other companies to do the same.

(GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
(GeekWire Photo / Taylor Soper)
The Climate Pledge Arena features 12,500 live plants and trees, including this large living plant wall reminiscent of the company’s spheres at the nearby headquarters. (GeekWire Photo / Taylor Soper)

The arena itself is expected to be the world’s first net zero carbon certified arena, zero waste from operations and events, and run on 100% renewable electricity. It will also create the “greenest ice in the NHL” by using treated rainwater for its ice system, which is stored in a huge tank next to the arena.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was there on Saturday and we asked him the name of the arena. He pointed out the awareness aspect of naming the arena for the climate pledge.

. @ NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman on Amazon names #SeaKraken arena @climatearena for @climatepledge: “Every time someone walks into this building they will think of the environment at some point. From an awareness-raising point of view, that’s spectacular. ”Pic.twitter.com/jnnxRrzxjG

– GeekWire (@geekwire) October 24, 2021

The arena name is also on the Kraken helmets.

Have a look at the @ SeattleKraken helmets? ????

On the way, every player will display @climatepledge on their helmet. On her home ice her midnight blue headgear will feature @amazon’s signature smile.

Which is your favorite ️ pic.twitter.com/LgONt8mGcg

– Climate Pledge Arena (@ClimateArena) September 14, 2021

Lynn Lashbrook, sports business expert and president of Sports Management Worldwide, said he loved the name.

“It will send a message all over the world,” he said.

“It’s perfect for Seattle,” added Kraken fan Kelly Ginn.

Check out what others had to say about Climate Pledge Arena and Amazon itself in the video above.

Climate Pledge Arena at night. (GeekWire photo / Kurt Schlosser)

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