Facility Notes

NAMING RIGHTS: Michael Suntoli of BARRON'S analyzes the performance of companies with naming-rights deals and writes, "Companies that paid big bucks to put their corporate names on sports stadiums and arenas have, on the whole, brought themselves more embarrassment than glory" (BARRON'S, 12/10 issue)....A GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE editorial states that the "chances of getting a corporate giant to shell out" the estimated $100-120M asking price for naming rights to Lambeau Field "appear dubious at best." Packers Exec VP John Jones said, "Because of the economy and the naming rights marketplace, the market has changed, based on what we can see" (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 12/11).

NOTES: In Pittsburgh, Dave Molinari notes that there "hasn't been a lot of public discussion about a new arena for the Penguins lately," but "team officials insist they are encouraged by the feedback they've gotten from public officials." Team Lemieux LLC President Tom Rooney said, "I think it will be our turn, and that's what everybody has told us, privately: `We know your turn is coming.' There are four new venues that will be open by 2002. I think we're just a natural to be the fifth" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 12/11)....In Philadelphia, Dave Davies reports that over the weekend, Eagles, Phillies and city execs "finally signed the multiple leases nailing down" new facilities for each team. The projects are scheduled for openings in '03 for the Eagles and '04 for the Phillies (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 12/11)....The $26M agreement freeing the Lions from their contract with the Pontiac Silverdome was made official yesterday (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 12/11).