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.
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.
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.
Indeed, this 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.
Minute Maid Park–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.
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).
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 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.
