A nonprofit hospital in Indiana took heat after it paid big bucks for the naming rights at a local minor-league baseball stadium. An elementary school in New Jersey sold its gymnasium’s naming rights to a local supermarket. College bowl games, of course, feature contests named after water softeners and snack chips.
Yep, when sports and business come together, it’s easy to get jaded about the naming results.
But here comes news from England about one sports institution that insists its Grand Olde Moniker is not for sale. We’re talking about the hallowed turf of cricket, its world headquarters, the 195-year-old grounds known as Lord’s, owned by the Marylebone Cricket Club.
Speculation started flying in November 2009 when the club announced a £400 million redevelopment plan for the stadium. Would naming rights be part of the financing?
“No way,” the club’s chief executive told BBC Radio. He then continued with a quintet of denials: “It’s the home of cricket, it’s something we wouldn’t consider. It’s not on the agenda, it’s not on the cards and there’s no way we’ll be going down that path.”
But wait, there’s more. “In fact, I have a real problem even considering renaming the stands within the grounds that are now dedicated to famous cricketers.”
So mark this one down, sports buffs and naming fans. Tradition lives. These Brits are adamant that the generations who revere the home of cricket are more important than the generation of revenue.
