When the Yankees move to their new ballpark in 2009, the New York Times reports that it will retain the name Yankee Stadium.
The Yankees, who would probably reap the most from a hot local naming-rights market, will not seek a corporate name when the new Yankee Stadium opens. “The Yankee brand is very significant and extremely in demand,” Randy Levine, the team’s president said, “and we expect to do many types of unique and creative sponsorships. But we will retain the dignity of the Yankee Stadium name.”
Here’s hoping that Levine is telling the truth. Few trends in sports are more disturbing than when a fan disregards its history for a quick buck. The name Yankee Stadium is a part of baseball history. The New York Yankees should never call a field of any other name home. Lord knows that the team is not strapped for cash.
