If I were to name one thing I hate in professional sports today it would be the naming rights of stadiums. Gone are the Riverfronts', the Candlestick's, the Astrodome's, replaced with names such as Lincoln Financial Field, FedEx Field, Monster Park, Qwest Field, Alltel Stadium, Gillette Stadium, Qualcomm Stadium, McAfee Coliseum, and M&T Bank Stadium.
I understand the progressive economics and the local revenue it draws to compete with major metropolitan teams. But it's not the same. A name with a football or city historical reference has a far better association with the city than a name popped out of Silicon Valley or a symbol that represents a company on Wall Street. Names like Lambeau Field and Soldier Field have names and eras that remembers their legendary past. Sometimes, names like Bank of America Stadium has me scratching my head wondering what team that's the home to.
Maybe it's because we're out of football season and I'm stuck watching racing and the Reds. "Out of sight, out of mind" the old saying goes. But isn't that the whole point? We will always remember the home of the Packers and Bears, but give or take a recession or two, and stadium names will go through another rendition of musical chairs.
So you ask, out of all the happenings in the NFL, why is this gaining a post on the youngest, yet coolest Bengals site?
Let's just say that Jerry Jones is rubbing his nose and influence on Mike Brown. But is it really that important? After all, when Riverfront Stadium was renamed Cinergy Field in September, 1996, I still called it Riverfront until she was torn down on a cold December 29th (2002) morning.
But let's go back a brief second. We all know that Mike Brown wasn't happy with the current CBA claiming he and similar small market teams would use a higher chunk of their revenue percentages for players. Whereas the Bengals would use, roughly speaking of course, 40% of the revenue for player salaries, teams like the Redskins or Cowboys would only require, roughly speaking of course, 10% of the revenue for player salaries.
Mike Brown wasn't against the current agreement; rather he was for continuing negotiations of the current CBA in an effort to not agree just to agree. He felt this CBA was done with too much haste with no real effort promoting small market teams and the source of respective revenue.
In reality, I understand Mike Brown's position. I understand to remain competitive - especially as a small market team - a lot of selling is required.
But does it really matter?
After all, even if the name eventually changes from the father of the Bengals to a Fortune 500 company, I'll still call it Paul Brown Stadium.
Do you really care about naming rights in stadiums? Register an account and give me a shout on what you think...