Thompson Boling Arena at Food City Center

#126
#126
05_never_again said:
It's to try and have it both ways...getting the money from the sponsorship deal while not removing the TBA name. Because you're right - I have no idea what the "Food City Center" is.
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I thought the floor was named "The Summitt?"
So it's the Summitt at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center?
 
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#128
#128
Thunder Good-Oil said:
Danny’s job is a lot easier when FB is in the top 10 and BB is consistently one of the best programs in the country. His legacy will be defined if he’s still around to hire CRB’s replacement. Heupel kind of fell in his lap.
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The AD’s legacy at UT is only defined by football. Look at how many fans view Doug Dickey’s tenure as positive even though the basketball program sank to historic lows under his watch. That didn’t matter to them because the football natty happened under him.
 
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#133
#133
rocky top buzz said:
I'm not surprised at this and not disappointed, winning requires money. BUT I am a little surprised at the low sum. Georgia Tech just did a 20 year deal with Hyundai to rename Grant Field as Hyundai Field and they are getting $2.75mil per year. I get that football > basketball but that said, Tennessee basketball draws more eyes than GT football and there are far more events in TBA than there are at Bobby Dodd stadium. So it seems $2mil is not enough but this is a 10 year deal not 20 years like GT so that may be part of it.

I'm a middle Tennessee guy, have never seen a Food City outside of East TN so perhaps it's just because Food City is much smaller than some of these other corporations. But UT is under no obligation so sell them their naming rights so seems like they could have sought more money from a bigger sponsor.
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Considering we’re comparing a regional grocery chain with a global car maker, those numbers don’t look bad at all.
 
#134
#134
We are already losing money and now we have to fund an $8 million NCAA fine and a big football staff raise on top of it. If someone wants to give us $20 million to change a sign, we are in no shape to reject it.
 
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#135
#135
SGMVols said:
We are already losing money and now we have to fund an $8 million NCAA fine and a big football staff raise on top of it. If someone wants to give us $20 million to change a sign, we are in no shape to reject it.
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Wrong. If you’re referring to the AD report from this past year. It’s due to how they handle the accounting for stadium upgrades.
 
#138
#138
bleedingTNorange said:
Who’s to say a donor that was going to pledge $20m to athletic budget hasn’t reallocated those funds to Spyre with this move?
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Who’s to say that Bill Gates hasn’t made a half-billion dollar donation to Spyre? We can generate hypotheticals all day. Just because we dream up possibilities doesn’t make them any more likely. And sure, if that happened, I’d be fine with the naming rights sacrifice because it was done with purpose. I just don’t believe it happened.
 
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#139
#139
cncchris33 said:
Who’s to say that Bill Gates hasn’t made a half-billion dollar donation to Spyre? We can generate hypotheticals all day. Just because we dream up possibilities doesn’t make them any more likely. And sure, if that happened, I’d be fine with the naming rights sacrifice because it was done with purpose. I just don’t believe it happened.
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I’m not saying it has, but I do think it could allow so “reallocation” of some funds…in a world of college sports that money matters more than ever before I don’t think adding $20m is ever a negative.
 
#140
#140
cncchris33 said:
Who’s to say that Bill Gates hasn’t made a half-billion dollar donation to Spyre? We can generate hypotheticals all day. Just because we dream up possibilities doesn’t make them any more likely. And sure, if that happened, I’d be fine with the naming rights sacrifice because it was done with purpose. I just don’t believe it happened.
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It just doesn't change my status as a fan. If I was closer to Knoxville, I would still go to games. They also kept TBA, which is nice. While I am not a huge fan of selling rights to everything, this is the way of the world now. It shouldn't shock anyone.
 
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#141
#141
bleedingTNorange said:
I’m not saying it has, but I do think it could allow so “reallocation” of some funds…in a world of college sports that money matters more than ever before I don’t think adding $20m is ever a negative.
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1. If it pushes funds toward Spyre, then I’m fine with it. Asked and answered.

2. If Pilot offered Tennessee $20 million to change the school colors to yellow, red, and black, it would be a good idea? Or change our name from Volunteers to the Fighting Fuel Pumps? Both extreme examples, but also awful, horrible ideas. So, sorry, I disagree…adding $20 million can be a negative.

This instance isn’t the end of the world, but it wasn’t necessary, either. At the end of the day, it isn’t earth-shattering and we aren’t likely to lose fans over it. But it is a talking point and I don’t think it’s crazy to think some fans are just generally upset that it’s another case of anything and everything being for sale.
 
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#142
#142
SGMVols said:
The AD’s legacy at UT is only defined by football. Look at how many fans view Doug Dickey’s tenure as positive even though the basketball program sank to historic lows under his watch. That didn’t matter to them because the football natty happened under him.
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I don’t see many AD DAD fans. He was a mess. I do see a lot of CDD fans as he is on the Mount Rushmore of TN football coaches.
 
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#143
#143
VolGee4 said:
It just doesn't change my status as a fan. If I was closer to Knoxville, I would still go to games. They also kept TBA, which is nice. While I am not a huge fan of selling rights to everything, this is the way of the world now. It shouldn't shock anyone.
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I’m not shocked at all. And my fandom isn’t at stake based on the decision, but like you, I’m not a fan of everything having a price.
 
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#144
#144
SGMVols said:
Considering we’re comparing a regional grocery chain with a global car maker, those numbers don’t look bad at all.
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Well it’s not like we had to make a deal with a regional grocery chain if we were gonna make a deal. The thought process shouldn’t be “Well it’s good money for that bad of sponsor”. The sponsor is part of the decision making process
 
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#145
#145
cncchris33 said:
1. If it pushes funds toward Spyre, then I’m fine with it. Asked and answered.

2. If Pilot offered Tennessee $20 million to change the school colors too yellow, red, and black, it would be a good idea? Or change our name from Volunteers to the Fighting Fuel Pumps? Both extreme examples, but also awful, horrible ideas. So, sorry, I disagree…adding $20 million can be a negative.

This instance isn’t the end of the world, but it wasn’t necessary, either. At the end of the day, it isn’t earth-shattering and we aren’t likely to lose fans over it. But it is a talking point and I don’t think it’s crazy to think some fans are just generally upset that it’s another case of anything and everything being for sale.
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Slap Food City all over paper materials and minor inside architecture. Some things like names shouldn’t be touched and are sacred imo. TBA? It’s no Neyland obviously but it has been here awhile now and we’ve turned the place into a damn nice arena on the inside and a great home court.

Now if we built a brand new state of the art arena I would be more open to it as long as it’s a respectable brand that we don’t get mocked for.
 
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#146
#146
cncchris33 said:
1. If it pushes funds toward Spyre, then I’m fine with it. Asked and answered.

2. If Pilot offered Tennessee $20 million to change the school colors to yellow, red, and black, it would be a good idea? Or change our name from Volunteers to the Fighting Fuel Pumps? Both extreme examples, but also awful, horrible ideas. So, sorry, I disagree…adding $20 million can be a negative.

This instance isn’t the end of the world, but it wasn’t necessary, either. At the end of the day, it isn’t earth-shattering and we aren’t likely to lose fans over it. But it is a talking point and I don’t think it’s crazy to think some fans are just generally upset that it’s another case of anything and everything being for sale.
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It all has a price though. The AD thought adding "Food City Center" with TBA was worth $20 million because it is an add-on. If Pilot offered $1 billion dollars to change some colors, get naming rights to Neyland, and everything in the stadium, would it be worth it? Some might say yes.

While you said that was extreme, it's about the value. The AD clearly didn't think this changed much and get $20 million for it.
 
#147
#147
Vol49er said:
Well it’s not like we had to make a deal with a regional grocery chain if we were gonna make a deal. The thought process shouldn’t be “Well it’s good money for that bad of sponsor”. The sponsor is part of the decision making process
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Just speculating, but Food City is already a sponsor. There may be restrictions in current sponsorship contracts. Depending on length of contracts or liquidated damages clauses, they may have been limited.
 
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#148
#148
The facilities are all going to be selling naming rights. I’m confident that Danny made a good deal with Food City. 10 years works pretty well. Especially when you consider that the entertainment/hotel/restaurant thing between Neyland and the FCC is coming.

Everybody has or will be selling venue names. No doubt that how the Pilot-Neyland deal is being worked on right now. Or will it be the Haslam-Neyland Stadium? Warren Buffett might veto Pilot’s involvement. Plus, if you are a Bama truck driver, you might be offended and take your business to the competition. Nobody should be offended by “Food City”. They’re actually a Virginia comoany and has sponsorships at other schools as well.
 
#149
#149
VolGee4 said:
It all has a price though. The AD thought adding "Food City Center" with TBA was worth $20 million because it is an add-on. If Pilot offered $1 billion dollars to change some colors, get naming rights to Neyland, and everything in the stadium, would it be worth it? Some might say yes.

While you said that was extreme, it's about the value. The AD clearly didn't think this changed much and get $20 million for it.
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The value-add and risk/reward was my point. $1 billion and $20 million are miles and miles apart. BTO said adding $20 million is never a negative and I tried to present a couple examples of when it would be a negative because the risk wasn't worth it and there wasn't enough value-add for the price.
 
#150
#150
Thunder Good-Oil said:
Danny’s job is a lot easier when FB is in the top 10 and BB is consistently one of the best programs in the country. His legacy will be defined if he’s still around to hire CRB’s replacement. Heupel kind of fell in his lap.
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You know I’ve seen a lot of takes and brother, this is one of them.
 
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