Rant – Why do we continue to refer to sports stadiums by their corporate name?
Posted by MJ on June 27, 2008
I have never talked about sports before on this blog but have been a long time fan myself. This rant is based on a recent column by Jerry Sullivan of the Buffalo News.
Jerry Sullivan
Updated: 06/24/08 7:06 AMA few days ago, I was listening to an update on sports radio and heard a reference to Citizens Bank Park. I searched my brain for a few seconds and came to a stunning realization. I had no idea who played there.
The White Sox? No, that’s U. S. Cellular Field. Reds? They play in Great American Ball Park. Pirates? PNC Park. Or is it PETCO? No, that’s the Padres. How about the Diamondbacks? Didn’t they change it from Bank One Ballpark? Yeah, but it’s Chase Field now.
Read the rest of “Corporations play games with names” at the Buffalo News
I always have hated the constant name changes of sports stadiums. I am with Jerry on trying to remember all the new stadium names. When I was a kid could rattle off the stadium names of most of the pro sports teams. Today? Forget it… I was shocked to learn even Wrigley Field has it’s naming rights up for sale now. The Cubs fans need to revolt or the Wrigley Company somehow or someway needs to secure the name again. I am not sure what would do if my beloved Boston Red Sox sold the name of Fenway Park to the highest bidder.
What Jerry Sullivan did not address in his column is what we can do about this? I think the solution is very simple. The only reason naming rights have value is because of the exposure they cause. Why does everyone including you and I, sports reporters like Jerry, or the media seem to be compelled to use the corporate name of any sports venue? Why can’t we all just adopt a common used alternative name for any corporate named stadium for our use?
In Buffalo here, the Sabres play at HSBC Arena but why not just refer to it as the original working name of the Crossroads Arena? The Buffalo Bisons baseball team has played at Pilot Field, North AmeriCare Park, and Dunn Tire Park. Come on now… Why can’t the local media just refer to it as the Downtown Park like most people do already and be done with it? No worries with the Buffalo Bills since the owner, Ralph Wilson just names it after himself.
It’s time we stop being held hostage to the lastest naming rights change of our favorite sports team’s home. If the people and media stopped using the corporate name then the naming rights would have no value anymore. The teams themselves really don’t need the revenue from naming rights or else they would just get players salaries under control. Just a idea…
The Red Pill said
I’m with you on this subject. The commercialization of spectator sports has become simply rediculous.
Alfie said
I was just talking to someone about this subject. Do we really care what the place is called if we can’t afford the ticket to get in the place ?
Luna said
Here in Phoenix, we almost had The Pink Taco Stadium. Yikes