With the 14-4 Jazz once again sporting the best record in the league, you'd think all of the fans in Utah would be ecstatic, right? Not exactly, though for reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with what's going on the court. Earlier this month, team owner Larry Miller re-sold the naming rights to the Delta Center, re-branding it "EnergySolutions Arena." And the most vocal opponents of the new name are motivated by more than just nostalgia.
You see, apparently having an arena named after a toxic waste disposal company is offensive to some residents, at least those worried about the long-term effects of their state turning into a dumping ground for low-level radiation. Opposition has grown in the form of public protests and a petition drive, as well as the creation of the website DontDumpTheJazz.com. As a result, Miller has been backed into full-fledged spin mode:
"There's a lot of stuff on our roads, our highways and our railroads that are more dangerous" than low-level nuclear radiation.With reassurances like that, it's shocking (shocking!) that everyone isn't happy. Miller has promised to keep the dialog open on this issue, though it's easy for him to say that considering the check is already cashed.
"You wouldn't want to build your house on it, but it's not a real threat to you in the way higher levels of nuclear waste would be," Miller said. "And that's all they intend to deal with."
So what will the fans actually call the place? A reader poll in the Salt Lake Tribune has Radium Stadium, The Tox Box and the Glow Dome out in the front, though my personal favorite is Nukeback Mountain, which works on so many different levels in regards to Miller.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
It's taken a little while for this name change to find me, or me to find it, but in any case, as a one-time SLC resident, a city that I still love very much and would consider moving to again someday, I'm deeply saddened by the Delta Center name change. I'm against corporate naming but Delta Center was an early one and not as in-your-face as it could have been -- Delta Airlines Arena. That would have sickened me. Delta Center, though -- not bad.
EnergySolutions Arena?
[sigh]
It's sad. All over America this is happening. This is truly an amazingly wonderful country in so many ways . . . but this Corporate Name Change game is one thing that makes this place sadly despicable.
What I'm wondering now -- how long before EnergySolutions Arena no longer exists? What will it's NEXT name be and when? The same goes with USANA Amphitheater.
There was once a time when stadiums, arenas and music venues had respectable names, names that stuck and stayed. Not many still do. This whole corporate renaming of America is disgusting. I love this country with all my heart but it makes sense to consider moving to another part of the globe where this crap doesn't take place, some place where community matters and not dollar signs.