In 1991, only five teams in the nation played in stadiums with corporate-sponsored names. Today, a majority do.

Franklin Covey Field's problem is it's getting to be too old, even though barely 15 years have passed since the first pitch there, and it's in a midsize market. The same professor quoted in last week's story said he doesn't think Real Salt Lake will get the $1.5 million to $2 million annual deal it wants for a name, either.

Honestly, though, you ought to hope they do. You should hope they both set naming-rights records.

Maybe you've lost some of your passion about stadium names because you have finally understood that, while sports is a business, it is a business that relies increasingly on government subsidies. Names that invoke community pride go only so far. They can't offset what you, your Aunt Mabel and everyone else has to pay whether they like it or not.

By the way, the E Center never got the deal West Valley City hoped for all those years ago. Minor league hockey just isn't that big of a draw. The city had an offer, from Coors, but someone wisely decided there are things more important than naming rights.

Come to think of it, though, "E Center" has become a name of unique, local distinction. Together with Ogden's Dee Events Center, it has a sort of alphabetical ring to it.

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Jay Evensen is editor of the Deseret Morning News editorial page. E-mail: even@desnews.com