stadium

No More Naming Rights Deals For Stadiums?

Over the last couple of decades we've gradually become accustomed to every stadium and sports park bearing the name of a business which has paired dearly for the naming rights. That may be at an end for now because of the bad economy. If it is indeed the end of an era it went out with a bang, the new home of the New York Mets, Citifield will bear the name of the Citigroup brand in a 20-year, $400 million deal said to be the most lucrative ever (a deal they are honoring despite recent events).

Stadiums with existing contracts have to hope their sponsor company doesn't go bankrupt and become unable to pay but for those new stadiums seeking a revenue stream these are bad times. As I mentioned last October, the Cowboys have a new $1.1 billion stadium expected to be completed by next June and they are looking for a naming-rights deal that could be worth hundreds of millions. There are less and less companies now that would be interested in a deal of this magnitude. Also where once a deal could be seen as good publicity to a company, now there is the growing concern that such an arrangement might be seen as wasteful for a company, especially for companies which have cut jobs.

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Tags: mets, naming rights, NamingRights, stadium

"The Laptop" Will Be The World's First Underground Stadium

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Sports

We've seen the splendor of China's Bird's Nest, now check out a new contender for the prize of most unique stadium. The Wall' stadium in Doha, Qatar's capital city, will be the first underground stadium and the world's first open-air, air-conditioned stadium. The stadium design by MZ & Partners Architects has already earned the nickname "The Laptop." The main stand is upright with most of its height coming from the underground field. All lights will be embedded in the surrounding architecture of the stadium. It is hoped that the underground stadium will help keep the players and spectators cooler. It is expected to be completed in 2010 and will seat 11,000 people.

Gallery: Qatar On The Rise

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Tags: doha, qatar, sports, stadium

Ballpark Pens

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Writing Instruments

With more and more famous ballparks either disappearing or getting redone each year, these Ballpark pens might be your last chance to get your hands on a bit of history. The pens are andcrafted from salvaged wooden stadium seats. THe barrels and disc at top are made from wooden seats from historic stadiums. The pens ship with capless rollerball refill but can also use Parker style ballpoints and each is laser engraved with the name of the ballpark and years in existence. The prices vary depending on the stadium. Fenway Park sells for $250 and Yankee Stadium is $190.

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Tags: baseball, fenway park, pen, stadium, yankee stadium