Nearly a decade later , in January 2006 , Verizon Communications purchased MCI and the arena 's name was changed accordingly to Verizon Center .
It opened on December 2 , 1997 , as the MCI Center .
Nearly a decade later , in January 2006 , Verizon Communications purchased MCI Center and the arena 's name was changed accordingly to MCI Center   .
It opened on December 2 , 1997 , as the MCI Center .