For 21 years, we’ve known The Lakeland Center, a multipurpose entertainment complex used for artists, athletic events + productions, by that very name. Since last year’s announcement, many have wondered the following: Why did it become the RP Funding Center?

Robert Palmer is owner of RP Funding, a direct-mortgage lender company in Orlando, which became the title sponsor of the former Lakeland Center in 2017. It has long been in the works that the center would find a new name and sponsor. The re-branding began when the NBA’s Orlando Magic searched for a place to host its G-League team, Lakeland Magic. This resulted in a five-year deal between the Orlando Magic, the Lakeland Magic + the building, giving the center its first corporate name in 43 years.

Based on the deal, the naming-rights agreement should increase operation + maintenance revenue and allow the center to function as a self-sustaining venue. The 8,000-seat George Jenkins Arena, 2,200-seat Youkey Theatre + 100,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space have not been impacted by the re-branding. While RP Funding plans on keeping this as the familiar entertainment center you’ve always known + loved, it continues to usher in new shows, events + games, including the upcoming Magic season. ✨

If you have questions about anything LAL-related, send them our way. We’d love to do the inquiring on our end and save the research time on your end. 😉

- Jessica