Naming Wrongs

You knew it was coming sooner or later, didn't you? The band of brothers we affectionately refer to as the "New Ownership Group" is set to sell the naming rights for the 2007 season to the highest bidder. That's right: "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to the Jordan's Furniture 2007 Red Sox Season." OK, Lucchino used this ploy in San Diego to raise that franchise to its current lofty heights (why can't we get players like that?). So maybe he can do it again and bring us more revenue to spar with the Empire for a few more years.

But isn't this all starting to get a little seamy? Don't you get the feeling that we are on the slippery slope to "Comcast Fenway Park"? First, they soften us up with sponsorship of seasons and individual series, and then, "BAM", in honor of the 100th anniversary of "beloved" Fenway Park--we are re-naming her "The Geritol Center—at Fenway".

Maybe they could find a sponsor to put a cup-holder in front of the $85 "box" seats, or maybe we can locate a sponsor for the lack of legroom in the $45 grandstands. I know, "Bumped your knees on the seat in front of you?....Just grab a tube of Knee-On... Apply directly to the knee...Apply directly to the knee...Apply directly to the knee."

Now, that's creative marketing.