NAMING RIGHTS: In Phoenix, Mary Jo Pitzl reports that
if America West Airlines is sold, "it could open the door to
a lucrative naming rights deal" for the Suns' arena. The
team currently has a 30-year, $26M deal with America West,
but it must approve any name change should the company be
sold. United is a possible suitor of America West (ARIZONA
REPUBLIC, 2/17)....VA Commonwealth Univ. announced that
Alltel has agreed to a $2M sponsorship deal with the school
over 10 years. The arena portion of the Siegel Center will
be called the Alltel Arena (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 2/16).
OTHER NOTES: The Devil Rays are installing a large hot
tub at Tropicana Field in "The Beach" seating area. Up to
10 people can watch a game from the tub for $350, which also
includes frozen drinks, beach towels, waiter/waitress
service, 50 Devil Rays dollars and a scoreboard salute. The
D'Backs have a similar setup (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 2/17).
...In Baltimore, June Arney writes on the non-game use of
PSINets's 108 luxury suites by suiteholders and businesses.
Ravens Luxury Suite Manager Theresa Abato: "We wanted to
make this a year-round buy." Ababato said that about 25% of
the suites are currently being used for meetings and other
events (SUN, 2/17).....Although the AZ State Senate bill,
which "would have made financing [a new stadium] easier" for
the Cardinals "was killed" by Mesa senators, a House version
still "remains viable." Cardinals VP Michael Bidwill called
the vote "a procedural setback" (AZ REPUBLIC, 2/17)....The
Bucs will again hold training camp at the Univ. of Tampa
this year despite "speculation" that they would move to the
Disney Sports Complex near Orlando (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 2/14).
