UH considering Fertitta Center as basketball arena's name

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The University of Houston is strongly considering naming its renovated basketball arena Fertitta Center, a source with knowledge of the situation said Tuesday.

Tilman Fertitta, UH's board of regents chairman and Landry's restaurants company founder and CEO, gave a $20 million lead gift – the largest ever by an individual to the athletic department – toward the $60 million price tag for the project.

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An official announcement on the gift – first reported by the Houston Chronicle on July 3 – will come at a 9:30 a.m. press conference Thursday.

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The naming-rights deal with Fertitta will replace Hofheinz Pavilion, which has been the name of the on-campus basketball arena since it opened in 1969. The university went through a public spat with the family of late Harris County judge Roy Hofheinz until both sides reached a compromise earlier this summer.

RELATED: UH, Hofheinz family agree on plan for naming new basketball arena

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The renovation project is expected to completed in time for the 2018-19 season.