What The Hell Do You Call This?

In the dog eat dog world of corporate mergers and acquisitions, things can change quickly. This seems especially true in the banking industry, where banks are forever buying other banks. One minute you bank with BankBoston, the next its Fleet. Which is all fine and good, if you like capitalism anyway. But when it comes to corporate naming rights to stadiums, well, things get a bit confusing.

Take Philadelphia. Please!*

In 1996, a new stadium, or "center" in the vernacular, was built to house the NHL's Flyers and NBA's 76ers. That building was going to be called Spectrum II, after the neighbouring former home of both franchises. But everyone thought that name stunk. So they scrapped it. Then they sold the naming rights to CoreStates Bank. Mmm... Money...

Things went swimmingly for, oh, about two years. Then CoreStates got bought by First Union. This led to the First Union Center, which was better than the CoreStates Center because everyone could call it the FU Center. Fitting for Philly, right?

In 2003, Wachovia bought First Union, and all of a sudden, the Flyers and 76ers had a new home to suck in, same as the last home.

Last night things changed again. With this news, Wachovia Bank ceases to exist, drifting off (likely with my bank account in tow) into oblivion. The building formerly known as the Wachovia Center in South Philadelphia, home to Philadelphia's 76ers and Flyers is now going to be renamed. Again. Again. Again. From now on Flyers and 76ers fans will watch their teams lose in the Wells Fargo Center.

For a building that has been in existence for going on twelve years, the Area in the Stadium Section (ASS! Get it?) is about to get its fourth name.

A quick recount, if you will:

1996–1998: CoreStates Center; No championships

1998–2003: First Union Center; No championships
2003-2008: Wachovia Center; No championships
2008-Present: Wells Fargo Center; Not bloody likely

But hey, at least nobody has to work hard at setting low expectations.

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*Ha!