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View Full Version : Red Bull buys/re-names sports franchise...

Popps
03-09-2006, 11:22 AM
A buddy of mine has been insisting that all sports franchises will eventually be corporate owned, operated, named. (The Fed Ex Broncos, the Fuji Dolphins, etc.) He doesn't mean the stadiums, he means the actual team names will eventually not even include the city. Given, this particular friend is a little prone to conspiracy theories, etc. I used to think he was nuts on this one... but as time goes on, I'm starting to wonder. This conversation comes up around here from time to time. It's only a soccer team... it can't get any farther than that, right?

http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/news?slug=redbullmetrostars&prov=st&type=lgns

Red Bull buys MetroStars, renames team
March 9, 2006
NEW YORK (Ticker) - The MetroStars never reached the championship game in their first 10 Major League Soccer seasons. Now their history is but a memory.

Energy-drink manufacturer Red Bull Company Limited purchased the MetroStars on Thursday from the Anschutz Entertainment Group and renamed the team "Red Bull New York," effective immediately.

In addition, Red Bull agreed to partner with AEG on the construction of the team's soccer-specific stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.

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As part of the agreement, approved by the MLS Board of Governors on Thursday morning, Red Bull purchased naming rights to the new stadium. Red Bull will own half of the new stadium, with AEG responsible for constructing, managing and booking.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but the Daily News on Tuesday said the deal could reach at least $50 million.

"The addition of Red Bull into our group of owners is a landmark moment for Major League Soccer and for all Tri-State area soccer fans," MLS commissioner Don Garber said. "Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz brings international credibility and proven, innovative marketing expertise to Major League Soccer."

The company also owns an Austrian club, Red Bull Salzburg, which it has transformed into one of the leading teams in the country's first division.
Bob's your Information Minister
03-09-2006, 11:23 AM
KC Masterpiece!
epicSocialism4tw
03-09-2006, 11:34 AM
I read that this morning, Popps.

I too think that it will be the model moving forward. The established teams will be less apt to do so because they wouldnt want to alienate the fanbase too fast, but I think its coming. Its a corporate world. Everything is for sale.
Crushaholic
03-09-2006, 12:08 PM
I've had a cartoon posted on my office door for awhile that deals with this subject. It's an old Ed Stein cartoon from RMN.

"Invesco Funds Griese hands off to Amazon.com Davis. He's at the 10, the 5...TOUCHDOWN Verizon Wireless Broncos! The crowd goes wild at AT&T Broadband Stadium!"

LOL
epicSocialism4tw
03-09-2006, 12:11 PM
I've had a cartoon posted on my office door for awhile that deals with this subject. It's an old Ed Stein cartoon from RMN.

"Invesco Funds Griese hands off to Amazon.com Davis. He's at the 10, the 5...TOUCHDOWN Verizon Wireless Broncos! The crowd goes wild at AT&T Broadband Stadium!"

LOL

HAH!

Sprint Crushaholic is one Pilsbury funny guy!

I'll get a tatoo on my kiester for your company for the right price! :rofl:
KipCorrington25
03-09-2006, 12:31 PM
I know when the Grizzlies moved from Vancouver to Memphis Fedral Express was involved and wanted to rename the team the Memphis Express and the NBA prevented this. With soccer sponsorship on the uniform is commonplace, so this is more accepted.
Orange_Beard
03-09-2006, 01:13 PM
Alright, here is a good one,

THE BALCO GIANTS.
Popps
03-09-2006, 02:15 PM
Rudy's Bail Bonds' Ravens
TheDave
03-09-2006, 02:16 PM
hope they do a better job with their soccer team, than they've done with their F1 team.
orange 4 life
03-09-2006, 02:19 PM
it all makes me ill.

ill always love sports, but theyve gotten so COMPLETELY out of hand as far as revenue, salaries, stadiums, sponsorships, merchandise, etc. that its just changed the whole world of sports.
i miss the old days.

heck, its one reason ive gotten into the crush recently.
sure, the endzone at pepsi center even says "frontier field", but most of those players make less than i do.
theyre just average joes, and that makes them easy to cheer for and easy to relate to.

having a company name a team is just out of control, and i can only hope it never happens in any of the major sports.
i'd say it never will, but then again, i also thought a major sport would never cancel an entire season either.

jake