From Deseret News archives:
Will ballpark get new name?
Executives at the Utah-based business management and training company are contemplating whether to renew a soon-to-expire 15-year naming rights agreement with Salt Lake City. The city-owned ballpark is leased to Bees owner Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment Group.
"We don't know what we're going to do," said Franklin Covey spokeswoman Debra Lund. She would not elaborate on the company's internal discussions.
Bees representatives have met with Salt Lake Mayor Ralph Becker in the past couple of weeks and anticipate meeting with Franklin Covey "in the very near future," said Randy Rigby, president of Miller Sports & Entertainment.
"We're anxious to address that sooner than later," he said, adding the city intends to turn negotiations over to the Bees.
Rigby said the team has fielded inquiries from companies interested in putting their names on the stadium. It's waiting on talks with Franklin Covey before pursuing them.
Miller Sports & Entertainment has discussed but not finalized with Becker a dollar amount the team and city will ask for naming rights. Rigby said it will be more than what Franklin Covey paid.
The going rate for Triple-A baseball stadium naming rights is "all over the place," said Dennis Howard, a business professor at the University of Oregon's Warsaw Sports Marketing Center.
The Fresno Grizzlies set the bar when the Chukchansi Tribe, which has gambling operations in central California, agreed to pay $16 million over 15 years to have its name on a now 2-year-old ballpark. At other end of the spectrum, the Principal Financial Group signed a 10-year $2.5 million deal with the Iowa Cubs, who renovated their stadium in 2006. The difference between the high and low, Howard said, is whether the park is new.
Howard expects Salt Lake City to be "close to the bottom" of the scale.
"With so many companies already investing with sports naming rights, there aren't many left," he said. "As the pool of prospects shrinks, so does the rights fee."
And the Bees aren't the only team in town looking to secure a corporate partner. Real Salt Lake had three prospects as of last month for its new stadium, according to team owner Dave Checketts.
Recent comments
Can anyone say Gordon B. Hinckley Memorial Field.
Ronald A. Young | April 14, 2008 at 9:50 p.m.
I have a VERY hard time with modern sports. And I'm not even that old...
Purist | April 14, 2008 at 9:37 p.m.
Beehive? Russ, you must have passed the 4th grade up or out test....
leroy | April 14, 2008 at 6:31 p.m.
- Boy shot following traffic stop 7:24 a.m.
- NFL: Week 12 recap 12:50 a.m.
- '12 Days' bill would top $87K 12:35 a.m.
- Study finds autism therapy works 12:35 a.m.
- Sports on the air 12:24 a.m.
- Herbert builds his team of rivals 12:21 a.m.
- Corroon a step closer to governor 12:21 a.m.
- Monday on TV 12:18 a.m.
- Editorial: East, West and religion 12:17 a.m.
- A deficit commission? 12:17 a.m.
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
- BYU is champion of the state
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
- Marriage definitions vary widely
- Credit Coug defense for win
- Max Hall issues apology
- Field goals, penalties doomed Utes
- Y. student vanished in China
- Cougar defense rose to occasion
- Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
870 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
475 - Max Hall issues apology
153 - BYU is champion of the state
137 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
117 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
116 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
90 - Hall's legacy measured today
79 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
70 - Utes fall to Seattle U. at home
65
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
Is this just one more sign of an ever increasing police state? Every...
Corroon is a decent common sense politician... however this poll will really...
17 year old, driving, most likely, under the influence, illegal drugs,...
Michael R. Ash states: "That Joseph used a seer stone in a hat to translate...
I'm very happy with your articles Mr. Ash! Thank you & please keep them...
The First few Decisions Herbert made, and things he said proved he was not...
I was just thinking of his goofy antics at the MTC yesterday. I will miss him.
If I want to reduce my debt then I cut up my credit cards and reduce my...
Spell check. If you can't even spell it correctly, it's pretty certain you...
Larry, the please explain why marriage is synonymous with churches. Where do...



