Will Mother Times Keep Name on The Forum? Too Soon to Tell

One of the biggest incidental questions to arise from today's news on the sale of the Tampa Bay Lightning to Absolute Hockey Enterprises strikes close to home.

Namely, will the hockey arena still be called the St. Pete Times Forum?

The Times Publishing Co. has the right to consent to continuing the deal when ownership changes, according to Andrew P. Corty, Times Publishing vice president. So company officials plan to sit down with the new owners once they've been officially notified of the sale and get to know the new company.

“Any time you have an agreement that includes your name, you just want to be comfortable with all aspects of the organization," said Corty, noting that he found out about the sale from news reports this morning, just like the rest of the Tampa Bay area. "We’re associating ourselves not just with the building, but with the owners.”

Times Publishing entered into the 12-year naming rights agreement in Sept. 2002; next month marks the beginning of the sixth year. Fees for the rights started at $2.1-million in the first year, escalating slightly each successive year -- next year's rate will be just over $2.4-million, Corty said.

He also said Times Publishing was happy with the way the arrangement has worked out so far. "We've gotten a lot of media coverage from the name," Corty added. "It's been a plus."

Here's Andrew Corty's statement:

“We had very high regard for the Davidson organization, and made our naming rights agreement with them.  We look forward to meeting the new owners to (hear) about their plans for the team and the building that bears our name.”

Comments

[Violettta]

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[mike]

I wonder if the owners really want their names associated with a rag like the SPT? Kinda like the Enquirer Dome if you ask me.

[GlennS.]

I love St. Pete and have spent many a pleasant day there. I also love the St. Pete Times, but as a Tampa resident I always thought the name "St. Pete Times Forum" for a building in downtown Tampa was a bit of a slap in the face, not to mention that it must confuse the heck out of new residents or visitors.

[erin]

I've never been a big fan of the corporate-sponsored arena bandwagon. I understand that it does generate a lot of money for the arenas, but in a lot of cases it just sounds dumb, and seems to take away from the character and history of a place. Like Boston Gardens becoming TD Banknorth Center. (And that's not even counting those completely absurd college bowl games; I'm waiting for a Cheerios Fiesta Bowl.)
When a new stadium is built, maybe, but then the Flyers went from playing in the Spectrum, to the First Union Center, and now it's called the Wachovia Center. Could a name be any more boring?? I see Wachovias on every single street. Does a stadium really give them that much more presence?? At least the FU Center had a name that reflected the true spirit of Philadelphia sports fans. :)
I thought the Ice Palace was a great name and I still miss it.

[AltaGid]

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