Hockey Teams Climbing In Bed With Corporate Sponsors: Why It Is Necessary?
Posted: Tuesday, August 10, 2010
by Dr. Carla Goddard
I don't think that a hockey arena's name has anything to do with the popularity of the NHL team that plays there. There are currently no arena's that I am aware of that bear the name of the team that plays on the ice there. There are a few NFL teams that have football fields/domes that include the name of the team, but most fields have a different name.
There are very few ice arena's that are just ice arena's anymore. Most are multi faceted forums that host NBA games, concerts, and other major events. I think it is up to the teams themselves to become recognizable with the name of the arena. I know for example that the Tampa Bay Lightning has an outdoor marketing blitz that goes on before every game. Complete with the cheerleaders and shoot the puck games. There is no doubt that you are walking into the a Lightning game. Yet, the St. Pete Times Forum name has nothing to do with the NHL team.
I have been to games before the new Forum was built in Boston at the old Boston Gardens. Anyone who has gone to a game there could feel the history of both Bruins and the Celtics alike. There is nothing like that feeling today that I have seen in hockey. I agree with some comments that have been made lately that their was a time when every hockey fan could tell you the name of the arena that their favorite team played on as well as at least half a dozen other arenas. I agree those days are gone. However, I still don't believe that correlation has anything to do with the arena's name.
Every one knew where the Bruins played and it was not named the Bruins arena. They knew it because of the players, because of the history, and because of good old fashioned hockey played there.I agree that corporate sponsor's are necessary to support the costs of the ice rink, I agree that hockey in general has become about money rather than the sport. I don't want to see the advertising on the jersey's (an idea being tossed around again), but I also don't think the name on the arena has anything to do with pride in a team or getting the local fan base behind the team. That is up to the individual teams and the NHL to do a better job of marketing the game in general.
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