What's in a Name?

Times, they are definitely a changin' here in our little hometown. Maybe times are not a'changin' so much as "building and institution names" are, but still. It's a lot of change and I'm not so sure I like it.

First, our beloved Bank One Ballpark was renamed last week. I guess that was just a matter of time since JP Morgan Chase bought Bank One awhile back. Since Bank One owned the naming rights (at a cost of $60 million+) through the year 2028, I suppose it was only natural for the new owners to want to use their name. I hate it, though. I hate corporate names for public buildings anyway, but in this case, I kind of grew to like the name, Bank One Ballpark. Not because I cared about the company behind the name, and not because I thought it rolled off the tongue. But everyone in town just called it, "the BOB." If anyone mentioned anything about "BOB," you knew immediately what they were talking about. It was kind of cool to be the only city probably in the world whose residents were so proud of a building with such a dorky name. New York might have Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden. Chicago has Wrigley. But only in Phoenix was there a BOB.

No more. Sadly, JP Morgan Chase officially renamed the building last weekend to Chase Field. I don't hate that name, but it's just so boring and corporate-sounding. Even if the Diamondbacks were to repeat their amazing 2001 World Series come-from-behind-in-the-9th-inning win in Chase Field, I can't imagine I'll ever feel the same about it. It'll always be just good ol' BOB to me.

As if that weren't enough, our "hometown airline," America West Airlines, loses its name tomorrow when its merger with US Airways closes. While AWA technically is buying US Airways, and the corporate headquarters of the merged company will remain here, the name is changing, and that feels like a loss. For anyone who's lived in the valley for any length of time, that's got to be kind of tough to accept. We've watched America West go from a start-up, to a major airline, to a bankrupt airline, to a re-emerged from bankruptcy airline. We've watched as the company struggled to stay afloat after 9/11, and probably everyone in the city knows someone who works for the company. It's just a part of the fabric of the city. It's sad to see the name go.

And, of course, there's a major public building whose name is going to change as a result. America West Arena will be renamed next month. While not as fun as BOB, I always liked the name since it kind of didn't even sound like a corporate name - I mean, it wouldn't be unreasonable for a city in the American west to name its premier sporting facility "America West Arena," even if there was no airline to pay for it. It just seemed like the name fit. No word  yet on what the new name of the arena will be, but I'm sure it'll be "US Airways Arena." That's just sad.

Comments

[Hanuman]

"Even if the Diamondbacks were to repeat their amazing 2001 World Series come-from-behind-in-the-9th-inning win in Chase Field, I can't imagine I'll ever feel the same about it."

Not likely, as I'm sure that the Red Sox will be winning the series again this year! ;)

[Jeff]

I know what you mean. I still call my old hometown stadium Candlestick Park, instead of 3Com or whatever it is now. Whatever happened to naming buildings for important people or places? The whole corporate naming thing is nothing new I guess, but it just sort of reminds you of the connection between big venues and big business.

[Scott-O-Rama]

I hate, hate, HATE corporate names on public buildings.

Next up we'll have the Pulte Homes City Hall, the Earnhardts Ford Municiple Court, and the Goldberg & Osbourne Discount Lawyers Public Grade School.

Yuck!