Yankee Stadium [II] Construction

[StadiumPage]

And any amount of money says fans will just call it Yankee Stadium. As they should.

If the naming rights are ever sold to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, and it becomes, say, Geico Field at Camden Yards, I'm certain fans will continue to call it Camden Yards.

Any Denver-ites in here? They named the new football stadium Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium, after fans demanded the old stadium name be worked in. Do you know if fans still use Mile High Stadium to refer to the new stadium, or only to the old stadium?

Selling naming rights to stadiums may defray a bit of the cost, but otherwise they are a dreadful trend in sports. I feel as though I should be paid to say the stadium's name. If I were a newspaper editor I would simply have the sportswriters use a generic name for the stadium (ex: Padres Park, Phillies Park, Devil Rays Field, etc.) and tell whatever company paid for their name on the stadium that if they want to hear their name, they would have to pay the same advertising fees that other companies pay to get their ads in the paper. Maybe a little hard line, but it's the least that can be done to lessen the damage of the awful practice.

I love how in San Francisco the fans ignored the Monster Field moniker that was slapped on Candlestick Park and continued to call it Candlestick. And how they demanded by referendum the name be returned to Candlestick Park. If only that was not the exception but rather the norm.

If newspapers/media outlets want to continue getting press access to stadiums they will call them by their corporate names. That's how it works.

Yankees will more likely sell the names to the different enterance plazas. With that the sponsor name will be on every person's ticket. That's pretty good advertising for the sponsor without selling out the name.

[PeteU]

If newspapers/media outlets want to continue getting press access to stadiums they will call them by their corporate names. That's how it works.

Wouldn't it be the team that controls press access? Or if it's built with public funds, the city/state?

Unless, of course, there is a clause in the naming rights contract that forbids press access to any newspaper man who dare not give the corporation free advertising.

And even so, I think there could be legal implications with such a clause. If it is built with public funding, then technically it is public property and such a clause would be arguably infringing upon free speech/free press rights. Even if it is privately built, you would still have a pretty good argument about a contract unduly burdening a third party, which is potentially actionable.

I think the bigger question is would there be anybody in the media with the cajones to give it a try? I'd love to say there is....

[nymdan]

Randy Levine has said it may happen (Yankee Stadium at ______ Plaza). More likely than not it will happen.

If you read carefully, I don't think Levine necessarily said that.

Levine said the team has not set ticket prices for the new stadium, but the Yankees are committed to keeping them affordable. The team will continue to call the new building Yankee Stadium, he said, but executives may sell other naming rights, such as calling the building Yankee Stadium at (corporate name) Plaza.

The second part of that, after the "he said," is probably just speculation on the part of the writer.

Here's the original Boston Globe article:
http://www.boston.com/sports/basebal..._clout/?page=1

[Elvis]

And any amount of money says fans will just call it Yankee Stadium. As they should.

But unfortunately, every time you hear the stadium name said by a radio and TV broadcaster, it will include the sponsor.

[grandslamsingle]

But unfortunately, every time you hear the stadium name said by a radio and TV broadcaster, it will include the sponsor.

Not much different from the current scenario.

My favorite is the "Lowe's Broadcast Booth" on the Yankee radio broadcasts -- even when they're on the road. I always have this little picture in my head of Suzyn Waldman nailing up a little plaque outside the booth each time they'd pull into a new town...

Sorry to go off topic...

[nymdan]

Not much different from the current scenario.

My favorite is the "Lowe's Broadcast Booth" on the Yankee radio broadcasts -- even when they're on the road. I always have this little picture in my head of Suzyn Waldman nailing up a little plaque outside the booth each time they'd pull into a new town...

Sorry to go off topic...

"Oh my goodness gracious... of all... of all the dramatic things I've ever seen... Suzyn Waldman standing right in that box... nailing that plaque up at Tropicana Field..."

[Soxrock]

It would be so funny if...

In November 2008 and the Yankee Stadiums are both standing, that they demolish the wrong stadium! Oh how funny

They should've just renovated the current stadium if anything. Replacing it is the worst thing they could've ever done

[David Atkatz]

The problem is, they are going to demolish the wrong stadium.

[Yankeefan90]

It would be so funny if...

In November 2008 and the Yankee Stadiums are both standing, that they demolish the wrong stadium! Oh how funny

They should've just renovated the current stadium if anything. Replacing it is the worst thing they could've ever done

LOL, that would be pretty funny, highly unlikely but funny. I think all the fans watching it would probaly cheer. It's gonna look weird in a few months as the new Stadium will start getting it's facade on the outside. Also when they put the Yankee Stadium sign on the front, there will be 2 Yankee Stadiums standing. I hope they don't implode the stadium like they did the Vet, i hope they take it down piece by piece, section by section, to see how much of the old Stadium was really left after the renovation, it'd be pretty interesting.

[RichardLillard1]

I hope they don't implode the stadium like they did the Vet, i hope they take it down piece by piece, section by section, to see how much of the old Stadium was really left after the renovation, it'd be pretty interesting.

To my knowledge they are planning on using a wrecking ball. Which is good because that neighborhood has one of the highest cases of childhood asthma in the nation. Its bad enough that they demolished all those healthy and fully matured trees that to use an implosion they would just be asking for a ton of people to check their kids into the hospital.

Not to mention they are planning on keeping a small part of the grandstand for a little league park. It would be stupid to implode and destroy the entire structure.


Richard

[nymdan]

To my knowledge they are planning on using a wrecking ball. Which is good because that neighborhood has one of the highest cases of childhood asthma in the nation. Its bad enough that they demolished all those healthy and fully matured trees that to use an implosion they would just be asking for a ton of people to check their kids into the hospital.

Not to mention they are planning on keeping a small part of the grandstand for a little league park. It would be stupid to implode and destroy the entire structure.


Richard

Yep... implosion is illegal in NYC.

[metfan13]

To my knowledge they are planning on using a wrecking ball. Which is good because that neighborhood has one of the highest cases of childhood asthma in the nation. Its bad enough that they demolished all those healthy and fully matured trees that to use an implosion they would just be asking for a ton of people to check their kids into the hospital.

Not to mention they are planning on keeping a small part of the grandstand for a little league park. It would be stupid to implode and destroy the entire structure.


Richard

I read somewhere that you can't do implosions in NYC. Shea will also be hit with the wrecking ball.

[grandslamsingle]

I read somewhere that you can't do implosions in NYC. Shea will also be hit with the wrecking ball.

By next winter, Shea might not need a wrecking ball -- just a good stiff wind

[metfan13]

By next winter, Shea might not need a wrecking ball -- just a good stiff wind

I know you're kidding, but really Shea could stand there for decades just like any of the oldtime parks. It's just worn out it's usefulness as far as amenities, etc like the old parks.

Remember, the Yanks had to borrow Shea a few years back, because parts of their stadium fell down.

[Soxrock]

LOL, that would be pretty funny, highly unlikely but funny. I think all the fans watching it would probaly cheer. It's gonna look weird in a few months as the new Stadium will start getting it's facade on the outside. Also when they put the Yankee Stadium sign on the front, there will be 2 Yankee Stadiums standing. I hope they don't implode the stadium like they did the Vet, i hope they take it down piece by piece, section by section, to see how much of the old Stadium was really left after the renovation, it'd be pretty interesting.

Really, it's not the same structure as the original 1923-1973 was. I mean, no death valley, no support columns, fewer seats, it's not the same anyway

[PeteU]

Really, it's not the same structure as the original 1923-1973 was. I mean, no death valley, no support columns, fewer seats, it's not the same anyway

By that logic, is Fenway the same park as its 1912 version with the hill instead of the famed green monster?

[PeteU]

But unfortunately, every time you hear the stadium name said by a radio and TV broadcaster, it will include the sponsor.

Which is why I'd love to see a media revolt on these corporately named stadiums. It makes absolutely no sense that a television station, radio station or newspaper give free advertising to a company just because the name is plastered on the front of the building.

The one I don't get is the Tampa Bay Lightning, who play in the St. Petersburg Times Forum. I'm sure the folks at the Times get their rocks off when their rival paper, the Tampa Tribune, has to describe the last night's game at the St. Petersburg Times Forum. (Plus the added irony that the St. Petersburg Times Forum is actually located in the cross bay city of Tampa....) I wonder why the Tribune would continue to self-flagellate itself by referring to the place.

I figure if the media ignores the corporate name, so will the fans. And the fact that the name is plastered on the entrance to the ballpark will become irrelevant. Didn't Old Comiskey Park try to go by the name "White Sox Park" for a few years and no one really ever paid attention, and it eventually reverted back to its old name? Or the outcry in San Francisco about renaming Candlestick Park to 3Com/Monster Park, where the citizens actually forced the Candlestick name to revert come 2009? I'd love for the Giants ballpark to simply go by McCovey Cove instead of the annual corporate name change the place has seemingly gone through the past few years.

I'm sorry but I guess something just sets off a sore spot for a building built with public funds gets a private corporation's name put on it. It just doesn't feel right for me.

[Soxrock]

By that logic, is Fenway the same park as its 1912 version with the hill instead of the famed green monster?

Oh, don't misinterpret my name. I'm a Red Sox hater. The Sox is for the White Sox. I can't find myself rooting for the Red Sox ever

[Soxrock]

Which is why I'd love to see a media revolt on these corporately named stadiums. It makes absolutely no sense that a television station, radio station or newspaper give free advertising to a company just because the name is plastered on the front of the building.

The one I don't get is the Tampa Bay Lightning, who play in the St. Petersburg Times Forum. I'm sure the folks at the Times get their rocks off when their rival paper, the Tampa Tribune, has to describe the last night's game at the St. Petersburg Times Forum. (Plus the added irony that the St. Petersburg Times Forum is actually located in the cross bay city of Tampa....) I wonder why the Tribune would continue to self-flagellate itself by referring to the place.

I figure if the media ignores the corporate name, so will the fans. And the fact that the name is plastered on the entrance to the ballpark will become irrelevant. Didn't Old Comiskey Park try to go by the name "White Sox Park" for a few years and no one really ever paid attention, and it eventually reverted back to its old name? Or the outcry in San Francisco about renaming Candlestick Park to 3Com/Monster Park, where the citizens actually forced the Candlestick name to revert come 2009? I'd love for the Giants ballpark to simply go by McCovey Cove instead of the annual corporate name change the place has seemingly gone through the past few years.

I'm sorry but I guess something just sets off a sore spot for a building built with public funds gets a private corporation's name put on it. It just doesn't feel right for me.

Man, I live in Tampa, so I hear St. Pete Times Forum all the time, even though its in Tampa. As for the media naming, I am sick of it. Names like Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium, Comiskey Park, I mean I hate it. I think that nobody has ever liked corporate naming

[Sean O]

I guess I don't understand some opposition to corporate naming. If the naming rights for CitiField defray some cost that taxpayer money would otherwise have to incur, I would much rather it be called CitiField. I think it's one of those things we should just get used to, since it's here to stay. Something like Monster Park or Chase Field doesn't offend me as much as, say, 5th/3rd Bank Park does. When it's integrated nicely into the title, and isn't too ungainly, i'm not very offended.

What is the practical difference between Wrigley Field, Busch Stadium and Chase Field? Do we really care whether Chase Manhattan owns the team? The name's not too bad.

[Soxrock]

Well, I suppose your right. Another example: Great Western Forum. But, you know, Minute Maid Park? What is very good about fitting in. Or worse, US Cellular Field. So I suppose your right to a certain extent

[Yankeefan90]

I'd love for the Giants ballpark to simply go by McCovey Cove instead of the annual corporate name change the place has seemingly gone through the past few years.

I'm sorry but I guess something just sets off a sore spot for a building built with public funds gets a private corporation's name put on it. It just doesn't feel right for me.

You know when the park was first being built the Giants were trying to get the naming rights from US Polo, so that way they could name thier ballpark the Polo Grounds. Obviously it never happened, but that would have been one corporate name I could've lived with.

[David Atkatz]

To my knowledge they are planning on using a wrecking ball. Which is good because that neighborhood has one of the highest cases of childhood asthma in the nation. Its bad enough that they demolished all those healthy and fully matured trees that to use an implosion they would just be asking for a ton of people to check their kids into the hospital.

Not to mention they are planning on keeping a small part of the grandstand for a little league park. It would be stupid to implode and destroy the entire structure.


Richard

A wrecking ball will raise tons of dust, too. (As does the new construction.)

And last I heard, the plan to keep part of the old Stadium was canned. I think it all goes.

[Onemoredayatshea27]

Current Yankee stadium will become several little league parks and maybe a museum.

[placount]

i think they should just turn it into a six flags. then all the families would really have a baseball stadium to take thie kids too /endsarcasm