Big news on the South Side of Chicago, as the Chicago White Sox no longer play at U.S. Cellular Field:
Guaranteed Rate and the #WhiteSox announce new ballpark naming rights partnership for 'Guaranteed Rate Field': pic.twitter.com/n1hbdN70uL
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 24, 2016
More details on #GuaranteedRateField: pic.twitter.com/QYx5T9LYK1
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 24, 2016
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It’s certainly not the smoothest of names, though many sponsored stadium names are clunky and derided when they first arrive. (Imagine a world where Wrigley Field was called Cubs Park, and then suddenly gets sponsored by a gum company (I know that wasn’t the original reason for the name – I’m talking about now). “Wrigley Field” sounds so incredible because its imbued with the feelings and history that you attach to it, but really think about the name. It’s silly. (OK. I can’t do it. I can’t make Wrigley Field sound silly in my head. It just sounds great. Count your blessings, Cubs fans, and pray the Cubs never decide to sell the branding rights to “Wrigley Field at Burger King Park” or whatever.))
Eventually, people will call it “The Rate” or something like that, and it won’t be a joke anymore. It’ll just be another ballpark.
Still, “Guaranteed Rate Field” was in for some chiding around the web, especially when the symbol for the company is an arrow that points down. Great for visually suggesting low mortgage interest rates, but not so great for a sports team:
There it is… pic.twitter.com/yC1PmJyT8B
— Colleen Kane (@ChiTribKane) August 24, 2016
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Drake LaRoche Memorial Coliseum #BetterSoxStadiumNames
— Fyre Festival PR (@TimBaffoe) August 24, 2016
I Couldn't Get Cubs Tickets Field
#BetterSoxStadiumNames— word_czar (@word_czar) August 24, 2016
This Is The Most Anybody Has Talked About Us All Year Field #BetterSoxStadiumNames
— Matt Lindner (@mattlindner) August 24, 2016
Guaranteed Seats Field. #BetterSoxStadiumNames
— Jed (@whatjedsaid) August 24, 2016
Comiskey Park #BetterSoxStadiumNames
— KWAL (@KWALRULES) August 24, 2016
Other Chicago teams even got in some implied shots:
BREAKING: Still Soldier Field. pic.twitter.com/vGWA3PLNc3
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 24, 2016
Guaranteed fate.https://t.co/vPuKBxYMma
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 24, 2016
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