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Stadium-Naming Curse

  • <b>Enron Field (2000 - 2002)</b><br> Houston, Texas<br><br> <b>Home to the Houston Astros (MLB)</b><br> <b>Opened:</b> March 30, 2000<br> <b>Owner:</b> Harris County-Houston Sports Authority<br><br> In 2000, Enron, the Houston energy and financial trading company, committed to a 30-year, $100 million deal for the naming rights for the ballpark. Enron went bankrupt in 2001, and Astros management bought back the remainder of Enron's naming rights for $2.1 million.
    1/8

    Stadium Naming Jinx

    Enron Field (2000 - 2002)
    Houston, Texas

    Home to the Houston Astros (MLB)
    Opened: March 30, 2000
    Owner: Harris County-Houston Sports Authority

    In 2000, Enron, the Houston energy and financial trading company, committed to a 30-year, $100 million deal for the naming rights for the ballpark. Enron went bankrupt in 2001, and Astros management bought back the remainder of Enron's naming rights for $2.1 million.
    AP Photo
  • <b>PSINet Stadium (1999 - 2002)</b><br> Baltimore, Maryland<br><br> <b>Home to the Baltimore Ravens (NFL)</b><br> <b>Opened:</b> September 6, 1998<br> <b>Owner:</b> Maryland Stadium Authority<br><br> In 1999, the internet service provider PSINet bought the naming rights to the Ravens Stadium at Camden Yards and renamed it PSINet Stadium. PSINet went bankrupt in 2002, and the stadium went back to it's original name.
    2/8

    Stadium Naming Jinx

    PSINet Stadium (1999 - 2002)
    Baltimore, Maryland

    Home to the Baltimore Ravens (NFL)
    Opened: September 6, 1998
    Owner: Maryland Stadium Authority

    In 1999, the internet service provider PSINet bought the naming rights to the Ravens Stadium at Camden Yards and renamed it PSINet Stadium. PSINet went bankrupt in 2002, and the stadium went back to it's original name.
    AP Photo
  • <b>Adelphia Coliseum (1999 - 2002)</b><br> Nashville, Tennessee<br><br> <b>Home to the Tennessee Titans (NFL) and Tennessee State Tigers (NCAA)</b><br> <b>Opened:</b> August 27, 1999<br> <b>Owner:</b> Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County<br><br> In 1999, Adelphia Business Solutions, a subsidiary of the larger Adelphia Communications, committed to a 15-year, $30 million naming rights agreement to name the stadium Adelphia Coliseum. Adelphia filed for bankruptcy in 2002 and the agreement was abandoned. The stadium was known as The Coliseum for four years until it was renamed the LP Field in 2006.
    3/8

    Stadium Naming Jinx

    Adelphia Coliseum (1999 - 2002)
    Nashville, Tennessee

    Home to the Tennessee Titans (NFL) and Tennessee State Tigers (NCAA)
    Opened: August 27, 1999
    Owner: Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County

    In 1999, Adelphia Business Solutions, a subsidiary of the larger Adelphia Communications, committed to a 15-year, $30 million naming rights agreement to name the stadium Adelphia Coliseum. Adelphia filed for bankruptcy in 2002 and the agreement was abandoned. The stadium was known as The Coliseum for four years until it was renamed the LP Field in 2006.
    AP Photo
  • <b>AmericanAirlines Arena (1999 - present)</b><br> Miami, Florida<br><br> <b>Home to the Miami Heat (NBA)</b><br> <b>Opened:</b> December 31, 1999<br> <b>Owner:</b> Miami-Dade County<br><br> In 1999, American Airlines committed to a 20-year, $42 million naming rights arrangement to name the venue AmericanAirlines Arena. On November 29, 2011, AMR Corporation, the parent company of American Airlines and American Eagle, filed voluntary petitions for Chapter 11 reorganization in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
    4/8

    Stadium Naming Jinx

    AmericanAirlines Arena (1999 - present)
    Miami, Florida

    Home to the Miami Heat (NBA)
    Opened: December 31, 1999
    Owner: Miami-Dade County

    In 1999, American Airlines committed to a 20-year, $42 million naming rights arrangement to name the venue AmericanAirlines Arena. On November 29, 2011, AMR Corporation, the parent company of American Airlines and American Eagle, filed voluntary petitions for Chapter 11 reorganization in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
    AP Photo
  • <b>Barclays Center (2012 - present)</b><br> Brooklyn, New York<br><br> <b>Home to the Brooklyn Nets (NBA)</b><br> <b>Opened:</b> September 21, 2012<br> <b>Owner:</b> Forest City Enterprises (majority) and ONEXIM Sports & Entertainment (minority)<br><br> In January 2007, London-based Barclays PLC, a banking and financial services company, committed to a 20-year, $400 million naming rights arrangement to name the stadium Barclays Center. In June 2012, Barclays was accused of fraudulent actions in the LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) scandal. It was discovered that Barclays was involved in influencing the interest rate of Banks in London. Its executive resigned, and Barclays agreed to a $450 million settlement.
    5/8

    Stadium Naming Jinx

    Barclays Center (2012 - present)
    Brooklyn, New York

    Home to the Brooklyn Nets (NBA)
    Opened: September 21, 2012
    Owner: Forest City Enterprises (majority) and ONEXIM Sports & Entertainment (minority)

    In January 2007, London-based Barclays PLC, a banking and financial services company, committed to a 20-year, $400 million naming rights arrangement to name the stadium Barclays Center. In June 2012, Barclays was accused of fraudulent actions in the LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) scandal. It was discovered that Barclays was involved in influencing the interest rate of Banks in London. Its executive resigned, and Barclays agreed to a $450 million settlement.
    AP Photo
  • <b>Citi Field (2009 - present)</b><br> Flushing, New York<br><br> <b>Home to the New York Mets (MLB) </b><br> <b>Opened:</b> April 13, 2009 (regular season)<br> <b>Owner:</b> Queens Ballpark Company, LLC<br><br> In 2006, Citigroup committed to a 20-year, $20 million per year naming rights arrangement to name the ballpark Citi Field. In December 2011, Citigroup was accused of manipulating Tibor (Tokyo Interbank Offered Rate). And in June 2012, Citigroup was one of the 16 U.S. banks that was investigated by regulators over the LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) scandal.
    6/8

    Stadium Naming Jinx

    Citi Field (2009 - present)
    Flushing, New York

    Home to the New York Mets (MLB)
    Opened: April 13, 2009 (regular season)
    Owner: Queens Ballpark Company, LLC

    In 2006, Citigroup committed to a 20-year, $20 million per year naming rights arrangement to name the ballpark Citi Field. In December 2011, Citigroup was accused of manipulating Tibor (Tokyo Interbank Offered Rate). And in June 2012, Citigroup was one of the 16 U.S. banks that was investigated by regulators over the LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) scandal.
    AP Photo
  • <b>Trans World Dome (1995 - 2001)</b><br> St. Louis, Missouri<br><br> <b>Home to the St. Louis Rams (NFL)</b><br> <b>Opened:</b> November 12, 1995<br> <b>Owner:</b> St. Louis Regional Sports Authority<br><br> Trans World Airlines committed to a 20-year naming rights deal for the stadium in 1995. The agreement was for an annual payment of $1.3 million, which would increase by 3.5% each year. In 2001, Edward Jones Investment purchased the naming rights for $2.65 million a year for a 12-year commitment.
    7/8

    Stadium Naming Jinx

    Trans World Dome (1995 - 2001)
    St. Louis, Missouri

    Home to the St. Louis Rams (NFL)
    Opened: November 12, 1995
    Owner: St. Louis Regional Sports Authority

    Trans World Airlines committed to a 20-year naming rights deal for the stadium in 1995. The agreement was for an annual payment of $1.3 million, which would increase by 3.5% each year. In 2001, Edward Jones Investment purchased the naming rights for $2.65 million a year for a 12-year commitment.
    AP Photo
  • <b>Conseco Fieldhouse (1999 - 2011)</b><br> Indianapolis, Indiana<br><br> <b>Home to the Indiana Pacers (NBA) and Indiana Fever (WNBA)</b><br> <b>Opened:</b> November 6, 1999<br> <b>Owner:</b> Capital Improvement Board, City of Indianapolis<br><br> In 1999, Conseco, an Indiana-based financial services organization, committed to a 20-year, $40 million naming rights arrangement to name the venue Conseco Fieldhouse. Conseco renamed itself CNO Financial Group in 2010. The Conseco name was retained for the stadium until 2011, when CNO Financial Group changed the name to Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Bankers Life and Casualty Company is one of CNO's subsidiaries.
    8/8

    Stadium Naming Jinx

    Conseco Fieldhouse (1999 - 2011)
    Indianapolis, Indiana

    Home to the Indiana Pacers (NBA) and Indiana Fever (WNBA)
    Opened: November 6, 1999
    Owner: Capital Improvement Board, City of Indianapolis

    In 1999, Conseco, an Indiana-based financial services organization, committed to a 20-year, $40 million naming rights arrangement to name the venue Conseco Fieldhouse. Conseco renamed itself CNO Financial Group in 2010. The Conseco name was retained for the stadium until 2011, when CNO Financial Group changed the name to Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Bankers Life and Casualty Company is one of CNO's subsidiaries.
    Conseco Fieldhouse/Bankers Life Fieldhouse
<b>Enron Field (2000 - 2002)</b><br> Houston, Texas<br><br> <b>Home to the Houston Astros (MLB)</b><br> <b>Opened:</b> March 30, 2000<br> <b>Owner:</b> Harris County-Houston Sports Authority<br><br> In 2000, Enron, the Houston energy and financial trading company, committed to a 30-year, $100 million deal for the naming rights for the ballpark. Enron went bankrupt in 2001, and Astros management bought back the remainder of Enron's naming rights for $2.1 million.
<b>PSINet Stadium (1999 - 2002)</b><br> Baltimore, Maryland<br><br> <b>Home to the Baltimore Ravens (NFL)</b><br> <b>Opened:</b> September 6, 1998<br> <b>Owner:</b> Maryland Stadium Authority<br><br> In 1999, the internet service provider PSINet bought the naming rights to the Ravens Stadium at Camden Yards and renamed it PSINet Stadium. PSINet went bankrupt in 2002, and the stadium went back to it's original name.
<b>Adelphia Coliseum (1999 - 2002)</b><br> Nashville, Tennessee<br><br> <b>Home to the Tennessee Titans (NFL) and Tennessee State Tigers (NCAA)</b><br> <b>Opened:</b> August 27, 1999<br> <b>Owner:</b> Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County<br><br> In 1999, Adelphia Business Solutions, a subsidiary of the larger Adelphia Communications, committed to a 15-year, $30 million naming rights agreement to name the stadium Adelphia Coliseum. Adelphia filed for bankruptcy in 2002 and the agreement was abandoned. The stadium was known as The Coliseum for four years until it was renamed the LP Field in 2006.
<b>AmericanAirlines Arena (1999 - present)</b><br> Miami, Florida<br><br> <b>Home to the Miami Heat (NBA)</b><br> <b>Opened:</b> December 31, 1999<br> <b>Owner:</b> Miami-Dade County<br><br> In 1999, American Airlines committed to a 20-year, $42 million naming rights arrangement to name the venue AmericanAirlines Arena. On November 29, 2011, AMR Corporation, the parent company of American Airlines and American Eagle, filed voluntary petitions for Chapter 11 reorganization in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
<b>Barclays Center (2012 - present)</b><br> Brooklyn, New York<br><br> <b>Home to the Brooklyn Nets (NBA)</b><br> <b>Opened:</b> September 21, 2012<br> <b>Owner:</b> Forest City Enterprises (majority) and ONEXIM Sports & Entertainment (minority)<br><br> In January 2007, London-based Barclays PLC, a banking and financial services company, committed to a 20-year, $400 million naming rights arrangement to name the stadium Barclays Center. In June 2012, Barclays was accused of fraudulent actions in the LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) scandal. It was discovered that Barclays was involved in influencing the interest rate of Banks in London. Its executive resigned, and Barclays agreed to a $450 million settlement.
<b>Citi Field (2009 - present)</b><br> Flushing, New York<br><br> <b>Home to the New York Mets (MLB) </b><br> <b>Opened:</b> April 13, 2009 (regular season)<br> <b>Owner:</b> Queens Ballpark Company, LLC<br><br> In 2006, Citigroup committed to a 20-year, $20 million per year naming rights arrangement to name the ballpark Citi Field. In December 2011, Citigroup was accused of manipulating Tibor (Tokyo Interbank Offered Rate). And in June 2012, Citigroup was one of the 16 U.S. banks that was investigated by regulators over the LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) scandal.
<b>Trans World Dome (1995 - 2001)</b><br> St. Louis, Missouri<br><br> <b>Home to the St. Louis Rams (NFL)</b><br> <b>Opened:</b> November 12, 1995<br> <b>Owner:</b> St. Louis Regional Sports Authority<br><br> Trans World Airlines committed to a 20-year naming rights deal for the stadium in 1995. The agreement was for an annual payment of $1.3 million, which would increase by 3.5% each year. In 2001, Edward Jones Investment purchased the naming rights for $2.65 million a year for a 12-year commitment.
<b>Conseco Fieldhouse (1999 - 2011)</b><br> Indianapolis, Indiana<br><br> <b>Home to the Indiana Pacers (NBA) and Indiana Fever (WNBA)</b><br> <b>Opened:</b> November 6, 1999<br> <b>Owner:</b> Capital Improvement Board, City of Indianapolis<br><br> In 1999, Conseco, an Indiana-based financial services organization, committed to a 20-year, $40 million naming rights arrangement to name the venue Conseco Fieldhouse. Conseco renamed itself CNO Financial Group in 2010. The Conseco name was retained for the stadium until 2011, when CNO Financial Group changed the name to Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Bankers Life and Casualty Company is one of CNO's subsidiaries.


Jeans manufacturer Levi Strauss & Co. has purchased the naming rights for San Francisco 49ers' new stadium. The company will pay $220 million over the next 20 years, a deal that averages out to $11 million per year. The new $1.2 billion stadium, aptly named Levi Stadium, is located 45 miles south of San Francisco in Santa Clara and is scheduled to open for the 2014 season.

Will Levi Strauss & Co. become the latest victim of the infamous stadium-naming curse?

The curse, a phenomenon in which a corporation acquires naming rights to a sports stadium and shortly thereafter falls on hard times, has claimed a long list of companies. In this presentation, we take a look at some of the most notorious cases.