Arena-auditorium complex set to keep James Brown name

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Augusta Entertainment Complex is on track to become the James Brown Entertainment Complex under a unanimous vote by the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority.The honor covers the historic Bell Auditorium and the new Augusta arena, now under construction and set to open in summer 2027.The arena replaces the now-demolished James Brown Arena. After the authority said it would sell the naming rights for the new arena, many members of the public were upset that Brown would no longer be honored. Authority Chairman Cedric Johnson called Brown “Augusta’s own,” saying there was no more fitting way to honor his legacy as the city prepares to open a world-class destination.The naming and planned installations honoring Brown inside the 10,500-seat arena are pending approval by Primary Wave, owner of the Godfather of Soul’s estate since 2021.After news broke last year about the naming rights, Primary Wave stated publicly that Augusta leaders were free to give the