# Corporate sponsorship has gone too far! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 18, 2004, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-sponsorship-has-gone-too-far/251047 "2004-06-18T15:13:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![TeaElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@TeaElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaElle)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2004, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-sponsorship-has-gone-too-far/251047/41 "2004-06-21T23:57:11Z")
> [@Rex Fenestrarum](#): > > Well, I agree with you in theory. But how is any “boycott” gonna be sustainable or make enough of a dent in their bottom line for the corporations to care? It would be rough, but I figure that if fans are so disgusted by Taco Bell stadium that the team that you couldn’t beg, borrow or win tickets to see in 2003 can’t get a butt in a seat to see the giant Taco Bells on the sidelines in 2004, Taco Bell might reconsider the usefulness of their investment. But like I said, we, as a culture, consider paying to see people playing games to be more important than doing the one thing that could ostensibly stem the tide of the endless commercialism of buildings and sport. We like to bitch, we won’t act. ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Girl)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-sponsorship-has-gone-too-far/251047/42 "2004-06-22T04:18:48Z")
> [@ataraxy22](#): > > My theory of action regarding on renaming stadiums, etc. by the highest corporate bidder is that, if members of the public continue to call it by the original name, it doesn’t matter one iota what the new “official” name of the stadium is. Just because the owners of the stadium sold the naming rights to make themselves a few million, doesn’t mean that you, as a private citizen, have to refer to it by the new name–especially if this approach is taken en masse!! I wholeheartedly agree with you. When Riverfront Stadium was renamed to Cinergy Field, I protested by referring to it as Riverfront Stadium even if I was asked how to get to Cinergy Field to which I would reply, “Do you mean Riverfront Stadium?” Blank look or confusion often resulted and I would pat myself on the back. So what did they do shortly thereafter to reward me for my troubles? Well, of course, they tear it down and build not one, but two, new stadia. I can swallow Great American Ballpark. Despite my ignorance being successfully fought above, to me the name still represents a celebration of baseball in America. As for Paul Brown stadium: meh. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-sponsorship-has-gone-too-far/251047/43 "2004-06-22T14:54:25Z")
> [@spooje](#): > > > [@Weirddave](#): > > > > Man, look at that list. Everyone is getting millions of dollars for naming rights, and what do the Ravens do? They sell the naming rights to M&T Bank for five frickin’ dollars! I’d have given them at least $10 to name it Weirddave Park! 😃 > > We’d of got ourselves in a bidding war. I’d go at least $50 to get it named The Spooje Bowl! $75 to name it Firefly Field! ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-sponsorship-has-gone-too-far/251047/44 "2004-06-22T14:56:50Z")
Wonder if the Southern Baptist Convention regards SBC Center (San Antonio) and SBC Park (San Francisco) as free advertising? The TLA shortage strikes again. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Exgineer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Exgineer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exgineer)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-sponsorship-has-gone-too-far/251047/45 "2004-06-22T15:23:42Z")
> [@ataraxy22](#): > > My theory of action regarding on renaming stadiums, etc. by the highest corporate bidder is that, if members of the public continue to call it by the original name, it doesn’t matter one iota what the new “official” name of the stadium is. Just because the owners of the stadium sold the naming rights to make themselves a few million, doesn’t mean that you, as a private citizen, have to refer to it by the new name–especially if this approach is taken en masse!! I have to agree with this too. The arena here was re-named years ago in a sponsorship deal with Pepsi (so we’re just like Buffalo now), but people still occasionally refer to it as “the Knick.” On the whole, though, I don’t see this sort of thing as something to get too excited over. There’s no harm done, and they gain some revenue they’d otherwise have to make up at the ticket booths and vendor’s kiosks. ---
**Author:** ![whatmove](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecc23a/32.png) [@whatmove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whatmove)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-sponsorship-has-gone-too-far/251047/46 "2004-06-22T21:44:55Z")
> [@spectrum](#): > > I think Congressmen and Senators should have to stitch onto their suits the logos of the corporations and unions which finance them. Beautiful. Simply beautiful. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-sponsorship-has-gone-too-far/251047/47 "2004-06-22T23:02:43Z")
> [@ataraxy22](#): > > My theory of action regarding on renaming stadiums, etc. by the highest corporate bidder is that, if members of the public continue to call it by the original name, it doesn’t matter one iota what the new “official” name of the stadium is. Just because the owners of the stadium sold the naming rights to make themselves a few million, doesn’t mean that you, as a private citizen, have to refer to it by the new name–especially if this approach is taken en masse!! Indeed, [this](http://www.kentucky.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/8791969.htm) article talks about how Giants broadcaster Jon Miller almost NEVER refers to SBC Park by that name because it hasn’t passed into common parlance yet. Now, the name he prefers – Pac Bell Park – is merely a different corporate name, but I still appreciate his stance. ---
**Author:** ![capacitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@capacitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capacitor)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-sponsorship-has-gone-too-far/251047/48 "2004-06-23T02:02:31Z")
There are some stadium names I like: [Minute Maid Park](http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/hou/ballpark/hou_ballpark_history.jsp)–a stadium with a name that promises fast service for each fan! What can be better than that? Makes you forget about the old Houston Astros stadium name–what was it? It was after some energy company, forget it. ---
**Author:** ![Grasshopper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f19dbf/32.png) [@Grasshopper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grasshopper)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-sponsorship-has-gone-too-far/251047/49 "2004-06-23T03:19:26Z")
Haha, it looks like Fruit of the Loom at least realized their name didn’t belong on a ballpark and named theirs Pro Player Stadium instead. (Though Skivvie’s Field has a nice ring to it). ---
**Author:** ![galt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@galt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galt)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-sponsorship-has-gone-too-far/251047/50 "2004-06-23T05:08:22Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > > [@SPOOJE](#): > > > > We’d of got ourselves in a bidding war. I’d go at least $50 to get it named The Spooje Bowl! > > $75 to name it Firefly Field! I’d throw an extra $50 in the pot for The Spooje Bowl. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-sponsorship-has-gone-too-far/251047/51 "2004-06-23T05:59:55Z")
> [@galt](#): > > I’d throw an extra $50 in the pot for The Spooje Bowl. 😉 I guess it’s back to me at $125. What the hey, Weirddave Park it is! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ea5d25/32.png) [@Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Scrappy_Hero_Pup)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-sponsorship-has-gone-too-far/251047/52 "2004-06-23T13:09:21Z")
Taco Bell LOVES it that you hate their stadium. They eat it up (sorry, I had to). Because for every “purist” in this thread alone who posts, “Bad! Evil! Taco Bell is RUINING sports!” comes another disinterested reader who thinks, “Damn, I could sure go for a gordita right about now.” Advantage: Taco Bell. Great American is not getting as much bang for its sponsorship buck precisely BECAUSE people don’t immediately think, “Hmmm… perhaps I will patronize Great American, or at least consider doing so.” Everyone who thinks “Wow, what a nice, reverential name for a ballpark,” is someone on whom the message is wasted, and Great American is none too happy about that. You can hardly even boycott the arena because, after season-ticket holders, boosters, corporate freebies, etc., the thing’ll still be filled to near-capacity. And without having a unified front on the “Nosotros no queremos Taco Bell” issue, someone else will gladly snap up your tickets. Even a small dent in the numbers can be explained away by a losing season, non-marquee opponents, etc. So forget Taco Hell. If they’re targeting YOU, just duck. You can’t save everyone. Oh, and you may consider the high bid now $250.00(USD). Wait until you all see the new sign saying, “ **Happy Scrappy Hero GF** Iz Blazing Fucking Hot” Arena. I, for one, cannot wait. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ea5d25/32.png) [@Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Scrappy_Hero_Pup)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-sponsorship-has-gone-too-far/251047/53 "2004-06-23T13:11:19Z")
But I’ll make them spell “is” with an “s,” I promise. Regardless of the urban-youth demographic I might be giving up. (and I previewed that, too.) ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-sponsorship-has-gone-too-far/251047/54 "2004-06-23T13:12:13Z")
I always thought that if I was as rich as Bill Gates, one of the things I’d do is to buy up all the naming rights to as many stadiums as I could and name them all Neurotik Stadium/Arena/Center/Park/Field. That would be great. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-sponsorship-has-gone-too-far/251047.md?page=2)