Naming Rights Park would've been better
Earlier today, Newcastle United announced that St. James’ Park–their home since 1892–would be called “sportsdirect.com @ St James’ Park” for the rest of the season. Actually, that’s a lie. No one in England knows how to use a proper possessive anymore.
Amazingly, this deal came together quite quickly, as owner Mike Ashley only announced his intention to sell naming rights late last month. How did it come together so quickly? Sports Direct is Ashley’s cut-rate sporting goods company.
Well, that’s convenient.
Fans are understandably upset, as it’s not as easy to get people to accept a name change on a shrine of a stadium as it is to build a new one and name it after a corporate sponsor. The first couple of comments here will give you a taste of the vitriol involved.
This is the ‘Invesco Field at Mile High’ model. Part of me applauds them for keeping the original name. But a much bigger part of me thinks they are complete wussies for trying to have it both ways. If you’re going to sell out (even to yourself), commit yourself to the cau$e.
Even whores usually have more scruples than this.
I hope all the tv stations just issue a hearty eff off to Ashley and continue to simply call it St. James’
Even when things are going well at NUFC, things dont go well.
So did they f**k up the planning or did they intend for the stadium to be incredibly asymmetrical? Measure twice, cut once.
Georger -
It’s what happens when you try to get 10 pounds of s**te in a 5 poung bag
I’ve driven past St. James; Park numerous times. Its actually quite nice from ground level, as far as stadiums go.