It’s been rumored for a while now that the Cubs owner, Sam “I’ll sell Wrigley” Zell is interested in selling the naming rights to Wrigley Field. In an article today on ESPN.com the article states Zell is willing to sell the name of the field with the stadium.
In an ever growing trend stadiums have been selling the rights to their fields. It happens all over. Cardinals Stadium, where the Arizona Cardinals play is now University of Phoenix Stadium. In basketball the Houston Rockets play at the Compaq Center. In hockey the Nashville Predators play at Gaylord Entertainment Center. The Oakland A’s play Network Associates Coliseum. There is a whole list of stadiums that don’t even have stadium names just another advertisement on a wall. Places like Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, and Lambeau Field are becoming a rarity.
It’s quite a debate about naming a field too. Some people think it dishonors the game, the stadium, the team, the fans, and the tradition. Others think that it is okay because it keeps the prices of tickets down. I am one that thinks that it ruins tradition. If the naming of a field did actually keep ticket prices down maybe I wouldn’t care. The Cubs this spring will raise ticket prices again to more outrageous prices. In other sports it may cost $30 - $100 just to enter the stadium. That doesn’t include parking and food.
LaSalle Bank, a Chicago based bank, has recently been bought out by Bank of America. The picture for the day is a ‘tribute’ to what has become of sports stadiums.
In an ever growing trend stadiums have been selling the rights to their fields. It happens all over. Cardinals Stadium, where the Arizona Cardinals play is now University of Phoenix Stadium. In basketball the Houston Rockets play at the Compaq Center. In hockey the Nashville Predators play at Gaylord Entertainment Center. The Oakland A’s play Network Associates Coliseum. There is a whole list of stadiums that don’t even have stadium names just another advertisement on a wall. Places like Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, and Lambeau Field are becoming a rarity.
It’s quite a debate about naming a field too. Some people think it dishonors the game, the stadium, the team, the fans, and the tradition. Others think that it is okay because it keeps the prices of tickets down. I am one that thinks that it ruins tradition. If the naming of a field did actually keep ticket prices down maybe I wouldn’t care. The Cubs this spring will raise ticket prices again to more outrageous prices. In other sports it may cost $30 - $100 just to enter the stadium. That doesn’t include parking and food.
LaSalle Bank, a Chicago based bank, has recently been bought out by Bank of America. The picture for the day is a ‘tribute’ to what has become of sports stadiums.
2 comments:
just playing a little devils advocate here...where do you think the name wrigley came from?? early corporate sponsership? just happened to stick...until now.
though i am on your side. just wouldnt be the same.
-bobbie
Oh, it's ok to play DA. I was just trying to make the point of changing the actual name and what I feel as taking away a part of history. If Zell, the owner, changed it to Zell field, I would be just as upset. There are worse things that could be done. They could move the team to the burbs or make a new stadium.
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