# Goofy names for arenas and stadiums **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 27, 2004, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goofy-names-for-arenas-and-stadiums/236701 "2004-03-27T06:25:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goofy-names-for-arenas-and-stadiums/236701/21 "2004-04-02T09:05:27Z")
Kind of related … There’s a park near Wrigley Field in Chicago that is totally fenced in, it’s used by people in the neighborhood to allow their dogs to run free. It’s called Wiggly Field 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![UselessGit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/74df32/32.png) [@UselessGit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UselessGit)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goofy-names-for-arenas-and-stadiums/236701/22 "2004-04-02T12:39:52Z")
Shewsbury Town’s _Gay Meadow_ always strikes me as odd. I’m probably just being puerile, but am I the only one? Also, The ArenA. Can’t remember where but I want to say Eindhoven or Munchen. What’s the deal with the two capital A’s, are you supposed to be able to read it backwards or what? On Preview, I see you asked for Basketball arenas. Well, international soccer arenas is what you’re getting anyways. ---
**Author:** ![Rodd\_Hill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3ab097/32.png) [@Rodd\_Hill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodd_Hill)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goofy-names-for-arenas-and-stadiums/236701/23 "2004-04-02T15:20:02Z")
Our small local arena, built in 1946-47, and named “Memorial Arena” was razed and a new facility is arising. Local ultra-rich guy Jimmy Pattison, who owns a big supermarket franchise just dropped some money on the city for naming rights, and it will be called the “ **Save-On-Foods Centre**.” It’s only about 4 blocks from one of the supermarkets of the same name. We’re hoping to win some games by default as confused out-of-town teams show up in the produce aisle by mistake. Locals have already suggested the nickname “The Fridge” for the place, and it’s only halfways built. A lot of pissed-off people, though, that “Memorial” has been quietly dropped from the designation…a lot of young Canadian boys died in WW2, and that was the original commemorative intent of the arena name, not a commercial for cheap hamburger. ---
**Author:** ![dwc1970](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goofy-names-for-arenas-and-stadiums/236701/24 "2004-04-02T15:23:33Z")
We have an entire college here named after a supermarket chain whose headquarters are based here in Boise, called [Albertson College](http://www.albertson.edu/). Before this it was just called the College of Idaho. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goofy-names-for-arenas-and-stadiums/236701/25 "2004-04-02T16:36:44Z")
> [@Rodd Hill](#): > > A lot of pissed-off people, though, that “Memorial” has been quietly dropped from the designation…a lot of young Canadian boys died in WW2, and that was the original commemorative intent of the arena name, not a commercial for cheap hamburger. Indeed. Here in Charm City, the inscription on Memorial Stadium read: > [@](#): > > Dedicated as a memorial to all who so valiantly fought in the world wars with eternal gratitude to those who made the supreme sacrifice to preserve equality and freedom throughout the world - time will not dim the glory of their deeds Time, aparently, will not dim the glory of their deeds, but economics doomed the existance of their monument-[Memorial Stadium was razed in 2001.](http://www.btco.net/ghosts/Buildings/memstad/memstad.html) ☹ The [dedication from the facade](http://www.stadiumsofnfl.com/past/mem1000.jpg) was supposed to go down to the new stadium complex (The metal letters, a rather destinctive font, invented just for the stadium) , but I haven’t noticed it down there yet. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goofy-names-for-arenas-and-stadiums/236701/26 "2004-04-02T17:50:29Z")
Another non-sports-arena (I hope you don’t mind) is a local concert venue which used to be called Pine Knob. That was somewhat goofy, in a Beavis & Butthead kind-of-way. However, a couple years ago the naming rights were sold and now it’s named after the local electricity company. It’s now DTE Energy Music Theater [barf] ---
**Author:** ![SpartanDC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b2d939/32.png) [@SpartanDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpartanDC)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goofy-names-for-arenas-and-stadiums/236701/27 "2004-04-02T18:03:16Z")
> [@Odinoneeye](#): > > My first thought on reading the OP was Comerica Park. > > I mean Tiger Stadium wasn’t all that clever but Comerica Park? > > Now we have Ford Field? > > When the Pistons start playing in Stay Free Arean, I’m otta here. Not to mention that the Ford family played an instrumental part in Detroit becoming the automotive capital of the world. I have no problem with corporate naming when there’s a greater historical context like that, especially since Ford is not only a company, but also a name. “General Motors Field” just wouldn’t sound right, though. “Chrysler Field” could work, but certainly NOT “Daimler-Chrysler Field” And while being infinitely better than Enron Field, Minute Maid Park is the sissiest stadium name I’ve ever heard. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goofy-names-for-arenas-and-stadiums/236701/28 "2004-04-02T18:18:12Z")
Miller Brewing has Miller Park in Milwaukee where coincedentaly the Brewers play. This is my example of a “good” name. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goofy-names-for-arenas-and-stadiums/236701/29 "2004-04-02T18:28:05Z")
_ **Any** _ stadium or arena or venue named after a corporation is a crime against good taste and decency, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![SpartanDC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b2d939/32.png) [@SpartanDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpartanDC)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goofy-names-for-arenas-and-stadiums/236701/30 "2004-04-02T18:45:30Z")
> [@rjung](#): > > _ **Any** _ stadium or arena or venue named after a corporation is a crime against good taste and decency, IMO. So Wrigley Field is a crime against good taste and decency? ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goofy-names-for-arenas-and-stadiums/236701/31 "2004-04-02T18:59:06Z")
> [@UselessGit](#): > > Shewsbury Town’s _Gay Meadow_ always strikes me as odd. I’m probably just being puerile, but am I the only one? > > Also, The ArenA. Can’t remember where but I want to say Eindhoven or Munchen. What’s the deal with the two capital A’s, are you supposed to be able to read it backwards or what? > > On Preview, I see you asked for Basketball arenas. Well, international soccer arenas is what you’re getting anyways. The ArenA is in Amsterdam. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goofy-names-for-arenas-and-stadiums/236701/32 "2004-04-02T21:24:26Z")
> [@SNenc](#): > > So Wrigley Field is a crime against good taste and decency? Okay, ONE exception. But _only_ one! :mad: 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goofy-names-for-arenas-and-stadiums/236701/33 "2004-04-02T23:35:23Z")
I’m still bitter about 3-Com Park. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2004, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goofy-names-for-arenas-and-stadiums/236701/34 "2004-04-03T00:18:56Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > I’m still bitter about 3-Com Park. Ah, but now it’s called “San Francisco Stadium At Candlestick Point.” I’d like to meet one person who has ever called it that. I went to a wine tasting event at Pac Bell two weeks ago, and when I saw the huge letters “SBC Park” out the window of the N Judah I thought I was going to puke. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Ash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71c47a/32.png) [@Mr.Ash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Ash)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2004, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goofy-names-for-arenas-and-stadiums/236701/35 "2004-04-03T00:50:47Z")
> [@Jplacer](#): > > The Hemis-fair Hemisfair ceased to exist many years ago. In its place is a very nice extension of the downtown convention center. The Spurs moved to the Alamodome for a few years, then to the newly opened SBC center. > [@](#): > > I went to a wine tasting event at Pac Bell two weeks ago, and when I saw the huge letters “SBC Park” out the window of the N Judah I thought I was going to puke. Aye. At least your team does not play in the aforementioned “SBC Center”, where it’s all SBC, all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2004, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goofy-names-for-arenas-and-stadiums/236701/36 "2004-04-03T01:03:00Z")
> [@Dooku](#): > > Ah, but now it’s called “San Francisco Stadium At Candlestick Point.” I’d like to meet one person who has ever called it that. I know. Doesn’t ease the bitterness. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2004, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goofy-names-for-arenas-and-stadiums/236701/37 "2004-04-03T02:39:26Z")
When Ralston Purina bought the old Arena in St Louis in the late 70’s, they changed the name to “The Checkerdome”. Luckily they changed it back after a couple years. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2004, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goofy-names-for-arenas-and-stadiums/236701/38 "2004-04-03T04:05:37Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > Another non-sports-arena (I hope you don’t mind) is a local concert venue which used to be called Pine Knob. That was somewhat goofy, in a Beavis & Butthead kind-of-way. However, a couple years ago the naming rights were sold and now it’s named after the local electricity company. It’s now DTE Energy Music Theater [barf] Oh man, no kidding? Yuck. I traveled from Kansas City to Pine Knob a few decades ago to see Genesis in concert. I have fond memories of the place (except that I had to hitchhike to and from downtown Detroit to get there). It was a good time. I don’t follow baseball, but I still cringed when they changed Comisky Park to “U.S. Cellular Field” a while back. Blah. At least Wrigley Field has a history, and they owned the team. I don’t mind the United Center either. Sure, it’s an airline, but it doesn’t _sound_ corporate. It sounds nice and friendly. They’ll be changing Soldier Field soon enough. They say they won’t, but they will. When no one’s looking, they will. They built an ugly UFO in the damn thing, it’s not like it’s important or anything. ---
**Author:** ![Beauty\_Personified](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e480ec/32.png) [@Beauty\_Personified](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beauty_Personified)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2004, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goofy-names-for-arenas-and-stadiums/236701/39 "2004-04-03T07:55:30Z")
I’m just waiting for the big cities to start selling their names. Winter vacation in _Tampax_ Bay, Florida! ---
**Author:** ![International\_Playboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/48db29/32.png) [@International\_Playboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/International_Playboy)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2004, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goofy-names-for-arenas-and-stadiums/236701/40 "2004-04-03T12:59:05Z")
In Phoenix, they built an outside venue and named it **Desert Sky Pavillion** , a fitting name and pretty descriptive. A nearby shopping mall changed it’s name to Desert Sky Mall to capatilize on its proximity. It wasn’t soon afterward that the venue changed its name to **CricKet Pavillion** (capital ‘k’ intentional). The mall is still “Desert Sky.” What’s up with that? Looking at their website, I see the Clear Channel tag at the bottom, so apparently they own the place. But “CricKet?” I picture a symphony of insects rubbing their wings together. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goofy-names-for-arenas-and-stadiums/236701.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goofy-names-for-arenas-and-stadiums/236701.md?page=3)