Citi/Taxpayer Field?
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- November
- 25
Two New York City Council members want Citigroup to show its thanks for a federal bailout by sharing the naming rights to the new ballpark.
The struggling bank is slated to pay $400 million over the next 20 years to name the stadium Citi Field.
The bank made the commitment years ago, when it was flush with cash. Now that Citigroup is getting billions of dollars in federal aid, Staten Island Republicans Vincent Ignizio and James Oddo say the ballpark’s name should be changed to Citi/Taxpayer Field.
Citigroup and Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon have been saying that they have no plan to alter the naming-rights deal for the ballpark, which hosts its regular-season opener April 13.
Wilpon and Citigroup spokesman Steve Silverman said they had no comment on the proposal.
So what do you think? Is this a good idea, or just posturing by legislators who should find better way to spend their working hours?
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, November 25th, 2008 at 8:26 pm by Brian Heyman.
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If Citigroup makes their payments, it should be named Citi Field. If they don’t, then it’s up to the Mets to figure out what to do about it.
The idea that a bank in need of a federal bailout is going to waste $20 million a year on an idiotic marketing expense revolts me, but the grandstanding local politicians are worse.
I agree with your first premise, but not your second. The Staten Island locals have no power in the matter but public humiliation is a s strong as they can get and they did. Good job Brian in bringing this matter up. Its being buried by most sport sites since it makes the Wilpons and Citi officials look bad, which in this case they are.
Pull out of the CitiBank deal. Change the name to Manufacturers Hanover Field.
It should have been dubbed ‘Gil Hodges Stadium’ regardless.