Pond May Get a Change

The Ducks might not play at the Pond next season.

They’re not moving, but a name change for the arena could accompany the name change for the team and new logos, colors and uniforms.

The sponsorship agreement between Arrowhead and the Pond expires Sept. 30. If Arrowhead does not sign a new deal for naming rights, a new corporate partner could drop “Pond” from the name of the arena.

Bob Wagner, the Ducks’ chief marketing officer, said he is in discussions with “five to 10” companies, including Arrowhead, about a naming rights deal. Wagner said the discussions include but are not limited to the arena’s current sponsors, which include Toyota, Delta, Cingular and Citizens Bank.

The arena opened as the Arrowhead Pond in 1993. Wagner acknowledged that fans might continue to refer to the arena as the Pond no matter what, but he said a new sponsor might prefer to drop the nickname.

“You can’t shorten Staples Center,” Wagner said.

The Ducks previously announced they would drop “Mighty” from the franchise nickname. They will further distance themselves from their Disney heritage next month, when they unveil new colors -- believed to be black and orange -- logos and uniforms.

The Ducks won’t reverse those plans even if the team wins the Stanley Cup. But, Wagner said, a new identity under new owners Henry and Susan Samueli does not mean the team will hide its past.

“We’re not going to be putting out caps saying, ‘Anaheim Ducks, established 2006-07,’ ” he said.