In Milwaukee, Rich Kirchen noted the Bucks "touted the names-on-the-playing-floor promotion for members of the team’s MVP Loyalty Program" during last Saturday's game at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The names were "printed on a decal that was placed on the court before the game and remained there until after the game, when MVP club members could get their photos taken." Buck VP/PR Dan Smyczek said that NBA officials approved the plan "as a one-time event." But there "is a possibility the Bucks will run another promotion like this in the future" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 2/10).
PUT A LID ON IT: In Dallas, Evan Grant asked of the MLB Rangers' 10-year naming-rights deal with Globe Life Insurance, "Was this the start of a 20-year anniversary celebration for the stadium, which opened in 1994, or the start of a countdown toward a possible exit when the club’s lease (and, coincidentally, the sponsorship deal) ends in 2024?" The Rangers "haven’t engaged in any talks" about a new ballpark deal, and "despite a recent spate of improvements to their ballpark, the Rangers remain one of the few teams located in a searing summer climate without a roof" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 2/9).
SUNNY SIDE UP? In Jacksonville, Vito Stellino noted there was "a lot of buzz last week when Jaguars officials showed an artist's rendering of a covering of EverBank Field to a group of potential sponsors" at Super Bowl XLVIII. The Jaguars "stressed it is not an actual proposal, but more of an out of the box thought about the 'endless possibilities' for the stadium." But at a forum for season-ticket holders, the Jaguars "gave more details about the artist’s rendering." It would be "more of a sun screen than a roof," and it would be "retractable but would not enclose the stadium or be climate controlled." That would "make it less expensive to construct than an enclosed roof" (JACKSONVILLE.com, 2/7).
TIGER TALES: In South Carolina, Michael Eads noted Clemson AD Dan Radakovich’s proposal to renovate Littlejohn Coliseum "was approved for the architectural phase" by the school BOT. Radakovich has "talked of eliminating about 1,500 seats and opening up the outer concourse to the seating area and playing floor." Trustee Bill Hendrix "told colleagues that Radakovich would present the board with 'small, medium and large' options for Littlejohn, just in case trustees ultimately decide against the estimated" $60-80M price tag currently placed on renovations. The BOT also voted to "move forward with proposals for upgrades" to Memorial Stadium and Kingsmore Stadium (Anderson INDEPENDENT MAIL, 2/8).
