Hurricanes add executive with political ties to supervise PNC renovation, development

The Carolina Hurricanes have hired another business executive to help with the franchise's real estate development plans around PNC Arena.

2024-07-11

Brian Fork, a top aide to the state Senate's highest-ranking Republican, is the new chief executive officer of Hurricanes Holdings, LLC, the team announced Thursday. Fork's hiring comes just days after Carolina hired Doug Warf as the president of Hurricanes Holdings.

Fork will oversee all business units, including the Hurricanes, PNC Arena and mixed-use real estate development, including a planned Fanatics Sportsbook.

The Hurricanes signed a 20-year lease extension with Centennial Authority to remain at PNC Arena and an agreement to develop up to 80 acres around the arena. A $300-million renovation to PNC Arena is part of the agreement.

"We want to set the standard in sports and entertainment, and Brian has the background to help us reach that goal, through our upcoming arena renovations and property development," Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon said in a statement.

Fork was chief of staff to Republican Senate leader Phil Berger for the last four years and was the Senate's general counsel for two years before that. Fork was a Raleigh-based partner at two law firms and worked in private practice for 13 years.

"Tom Dundon has a vision to turn this area into the premier sports and entertainment district in the country, and it’s an honor to be a part of the team that will work to bring that vision to life," said Fork, a Raleigh native who played and coached football at Davidson College before attending law school at UNC.

“Watching the arena transform into a sellout-every-night building over the last several years has been a thrill."

Berger, a Rockingham County Republican and the Senate's President Pro Tem, said Fork's ability to build relationships with legislators and staff members "is a model for us all."

“He has incredible instincts, an honest demeanor, and a natural drive that has steered the Pro Tem's office and the Senate in the right direction from day one," Berger said in a statement.

It's been a busy off-season for the Hurricanes off the ice with president and general manager Don Waddell leaving the franchise after the season. The Hurricanes resigned coach Rod Brind'Amour, promoted Eric Tulsky to general manager and have hired Warf and Fork after completing contracts for the lease, renovation and development.