C. DAVID KOTOK WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER wrote:Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey and NCAA officials say they expect to reach a long-term agreement by April 30 for Omaha to host the College World Series at a proposed downtown stadium. Fahey and other Omaha officials traveled to Indianapolis today to discuss the stadium with top NCAA officials.
NCAA spokesman Bob Williams said in a statement that the meeting was "very productive." He expressed optimism that a long-term agreement will be reached that's in the "best interests of those in Omaha, the NCAA membership and the student athletes who compete."
Fahey called the gathering "a very good and productive meeting."
The Omaha officials are hoping for a verbal commitment for a new contract that keeps the CWS in Omaha for 20 years or more.
Omaha World-Herald wrote:The construction plan calls for the city to have replacement parking and street work completed by late fall. That would allow for work to begin on Qwest Center lots C and E, and for a portion of 12th Street to be closed, by winter.
HOLY |expletive|! Â Begin work by this winter? Â That is bold.
What scares me is the story somebody told me about a facility built for the Final Four somewhere in KC, I guess the NCAA agreed to play in it but left two years later. Â I don't know if I believe that though, anybody here what really happened with that?
Erik wrote:What scares me is the story somebody told me about a facility built for the Final Four somewhere in KC, I guess the NCAA agreed to play in it but left two years later. Â I don't know if I believe that though, anybody here what really happened with that?
The only thing I can think of is Municipal Auditorium, which has held 9 Final 4s. Â It as built in 1939 and held 9 finals spread out over 25 years. Â It might have been built to host a lot of NCAA tournament games, but not to be the permanent host.
Have you guys been reading the comments on wowt.com, I cannot believe some of the comments on there. It's actually funny to read them and then come up with a random name and comment to stir the pot, lol. :D
Last edited by Erik on Mon Apr 21, 2008 9:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Swift wrote:Field of Dreams isn't about sports, it's about how all men turn into their fathers and the lengths to which one must go to come to peace with that.
Whatever. Â I saw a baseball movie with Darth Vader and Robin Hood.
Swift wrote:Field of Dreams isn't about sports, it's about how all men turn into their fathers and the lengths to which one must go to come to peace with that.
Whatever. I saw a baseball movie with Darth Vader and Robin Hood.
-Big E
Haha. Â Didn't you know the kid pitcher was really Christian Slater? Â Not the Slater from Robin Hood, but from Gleaming the Cube. Â And Omababe, i like several of his movies, but you have to admit he's fallen off lately...in the past 15 or so years
On a note about the stadium, i think they'll get it ironed out. Â In the next week, we'll hear something (because there are only 8 days until the deadline, anyway) and we'll all be able to exhale. Â I know that I'm waiting to exhale.
I honestly don't think MECA is trying to run off the Omaha Royals. If they were, why not just end the charade...not negotiate with Stein, and can the May 15th deadline?..
Sorry...what does the May 15th deadline pertain to?
Sorry for the late reply..May 15th pertains to the deadline for an agreement between MECA and the Omaha Royals as it relates to finalizing a contract for the ORoyals to play at the new downtown stadium..
almighty_tuna wrote:Though, to be fair, he's done some really good movies otherwise.
Most of those movies have been good in spite of his participation. Other than Bull Durham, name one where his role made the movie.
And no, Field of Dreams - the single most over-rated sports movie of all time - does not count.
-Big E
The Untouchables and Wyatt Earp and I really wouldn't call Field of Dreams a sports movie. Â You could've had the same plot with football as the back drop.
Open Range with Robert Duvall is another worthy yet, underrated western.
almighty_tuna wrote:Though, to be fair, he's done some really good movies otherwise.
Most of those movies have been good in spite of his participation. Other than Bull Durham, name one where his role made the movie.
And no, Field of Dreams - the single most over-rated sports movie of all time - does not count.
-Big E
The Untouchables and Wyatt Earp and I really wouldn't call Field of Dreams a sports movie. You could've had the same plot with football as the back drop.
Open Range with Robert Duvall is another worthy yet, underrated western.
I think Costner's best baseball movie is For Love of the Game; i like Bull Durham a lot, but IMPO it's slightly outdone by the afformentioned flick. Â And i agree with you, Open Range is underrated.
In baseball news, are they planning on having any news releases today? Â I tried catching the news quick before i decided to get ready to head to work (and squandered away too much time on the forum to check any websites) but i missed it. Â Hopefully there are some updates and additional info when i get back.
Omaha representatives meet with NCAA on proposed downtown stadium
BY C. DAVID KOTOK
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
It's down to the details, and those details can be calculated in dollars.
After Monday's meeting in Indianapolis, Mayor Mike Fahey and NCAA officials expressed confidence that they can sign a deal by the end of the month for the College World Series to be played in the proposed downtown stadium.
The meeting, between the seven-member Omaha delegation and the NCAA's top officials, was described as productive by both sides.
If anyone hasn't gotten the hints yet, I am kind of a ballpark geek. Â I check Ballpark Watch frequently for updates on stadiums ranging from minor league to mlb. Â The guy who updates this site is really starting to upset me off with his negative attitude about Omaha's stadium. Â He frequently suggests that the ownership of the Omaha Royals has a fondness for Vancouver (I didn't know Warren and Walter liked Canada) and that the financing plan, which has been now endorsed by the Chamber of Commerce, MECA, and now the NCAA. Â
Here is the link if any of you want to check it out. Â It is about halfway down in the middle of the page. Â It also has the links to all of his past articles about the stadium.
C. DAVID KOTOK WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER wrote:
How does Pontiac Park sound? Or Coca-Cola Field? Or Lowe's Stadium?
Those are real possibilities for the name atop a new downtown home for the College World Series. The NCAA could be asked to approach its corporate sponsors, which include Pontiac, Coke, Lowe's and others, to market the naming rights.
How to handle the stadium naming rights and split the money were among the unresolved issues Monday after an Omaha delegation met with top NCAA officials in Indianapolis. The two sides are working on a long-term agreement to play the CWS at a new stadium built on Qwest Center Omaha parking lots.
Roger Dixon, president of the Qwest Center, said it could prove "much simpler" to sell the naming rights through the NCAA to one of its corporate benefactors.
One of the reasons is that the NCAA puts severe restrictions on advertising at championship events, said Dixon, who is a member of the Omaha team working on the deal. For example, the NCAA doesn't allow any alcoholic beverage sponsorships.
Revenues that would be generated by the new stadium dominated the Monday discussions. Both sides said they are confident those remaining issues can be worked out.
nebport5 wrote:I think they are all horrendous, I hope there is a second permanent name.
I knew this was coming!
Of all of the above, Pontiac and Enterprise seem to be the least emesis inducing (if used alone with no other corporate modifiers).
Omaha's Diet Coke Stadium?
Hey, let's get the Save Rosenblatt folks to buy the sponsorship naming rights!
"We're coming to you live, from Omaha's brand new 'Save Rosenblatt Stadium' Stadium....[covers mic haphazardly] What the heck? Â Did they really name it that? Â Do the people that live in Omaha even know what's wrong with those people? Â What a bunch of |expletive|. Â Wait, you can still hear me? [uncovers mic] Â ....Down to Harold Reynolds."
I agree, many sound dumb. Â I'd say something like Coca Cola Field at Union Pacific stadium, or vice versa sounds infinately better than some of the others. Â I agree with Brad; if they name it Enterprise Field, there will be nerds lined up in Piccard, Spock, and Captain Kirk costumes, battling it out with those dressed as Chewbacca, Han Solo, and Lando Calrissian because they just don't get that this is baseball...and those are two completely different series.
FWIW, my prediction is something along the lines of "Welcome to the CWS, coming to you from Rosenblatt Field at [NCAA Major Corporate Sponsor] Stadium"
I know that with the NCAA running things, its going to be some random corporate giant, but it really would be nice to have some local flavor to whomever gets the naming rights. Â Conagra, UP, Berkshire, MofO, Keiwit, etc. Â They're all big enough to warrant a stadium naming, and most any of them could pony up the cash, if required.... Â Yes, its all about the money now, but don't forget its the local tradition and homeyness of Omaha that has made the CWS what it is.
Another thought.... Â What about a big private donation getting the name, instead of a corporation? Â ie Durham Memorial Stadium...... Â They are hoping for a significant amount of private donations, and while none of the Omaha philanthropists are egotistical enough to demand it, I wouldn't put it by the CWS to offer naming rights to an individual (or estate) that donates enough money.
Ben wrote:I know that with the NCAA running things, its going to be some random corporate giant, but it really would be nice to have some local flavor to whomever gets the naming rights. Conagra, UP, Berkshire, MofO, Keiwit, etc. They're all big enough to warrant a stadium naming, and most any of them could pony up the cash, if required.... Yes, its all about the money now, but don't forget its the local tradition and homeyness of Omaha that has made the CWS what it is.
Another thought.... What about a big private donation getting the name, instead of a corporation? ie Durham Memorial Stadium...... They are hoping for a significant amount of private donations, and while none of the Omaha philanthropists are egotistical enough to demand it, I wouldn't put it by the CWS to offer naming rights to an individual (or estate) that donates enough money.
What if it was Iowa West Foundation ponying up the requisite cash??? Â Or one of the casinos?!? Â
Can you imagine how many MIs would be induced on the west side of the Mighty Mo if ever the ESPN announcing crew uttered the immortal words, "Hello everybody and welcome to the opening game of the College World Series, coming to you live from Iowa West Field at Harrah's Park in beautiful Downtown Omaha, Nebraska."
Ben wrote:I know that with the NCAA running things, its going to be some random corporate giant, but it really would be nice to have some local flavor to whomever gets the naming rights. Conagra, UP, Berkshire, MofO, Keiwit, etc. They're all big enough to warrant a stadium naming, and most any of them could pony up the cash, if required.... Yes, its all about the money now, but don't forget its the local tradition and homeyness of Omaha that has made the CWS what it is.
Another thought.... What about a big private donation getting the name, instead of a corporation? ie Durham Memorial Stadium...... They are hoping for a significant amount of private donations, and while none of the Omaha philanthropists are egotistical enough to demand it, I wouldn't put it by the CWS to offer naming rights to an individual (or estate) that donates enough money.
What if it was Iowa West Foundation ponying up the requisite cash??? Or one of the casinos?!?
Can you imagine how many MIs would be induced on the west side of the Mighty Mo if ever the ESPN announcing crew uttered the immortal words, "Hello everybody and welcome to the opening game of the College World Series, coming to you live from Iowa West Field at Harrah's Park in beautiful Downtown Omaha, Nebraska."
i now think that "MofO Field at the UP stadium" sounds best
I can't recall which news broadcast mentioned it... but apparently Stein met with the mayor and company this evening. Â Sounds like he's playing 'hard ball'. Â
I had to laugh too... when the story mentioned the rumor of La Vista possibly putting forth a proposal for a Royals ballpark.
Shoot for the Moon... if you miss, you'll land among the stars.
Stargazer wrote:I can't recall which news broadcast mentioned it... but apparently Stein met with the mayor and company this evening. Â Sounds like he's playing 'hard ball'. Â
I had to laugh too... when the story mentioned the rumor of La Vista possibly putting forth a proposal for a Royals ballpark.
 Not the Slater from Robin Hood, but from Gleaming the Cube.  And Omababe, i like several of his movies, but you have to admit he's fallen off lately...in the past 15 or so years 
 
