AMSOIL, the Superior-based maker of synthetic motor oil, is paying $6 million over 20 years for the right to name the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center’s new arena, AMSOIL Arena, according to a source with knowledge of the deal.
This is not the first time AMSOIL has bought the naming rights for a local event or attraction. The annual snocross event at Spirit Mountain is named the AMSOIL Duluth National Snocross.
Construction on the $70 million arena began in April 2009. The arena will include 6,700 seats and an NHL-sized ice sheet. The University of Minnesota Duluth hockey teams will begin playing in the arena next winter
The UMD men will play North Dakota on Dec. 30 in the arena’s first game.
AMSOIL founder, president and CEO Albert J. Amatuzio is a native of Duluth’s Raleigh Street. He served 25 years in the Air Guard as a jet fighter pilot. He founded AMSOIL after retiring from the military and after observing characteristics of synthetic oil in jet engines — reduced engine wear, good performance in extreme temperatures and long life. He thought that synthetic oil also could be used in automobiles.
The first can of AMSOIL 10W-40 appeared on the market in 1972.
Amatuzio has received numerous awards since founding AMSOIL. He was inducted into the Superior Business Hall of Fame last year.
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