Bridgestone name would give arena better local identity

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hi,

Bridgestone name would give arena better local identity

Fresh from sponsoring the Super Bowl halftime show, Bridgestone Americas Inc. — home office, our backyard — is reported to be negotiating the naming rights for Nashville's downtown arena.

The scoop launched on a blog called coolsprings .com, which reported the tire company has purchased at least 16 different online domain names including words like "arena" and "center."

Officials at what is currently still called Sommet Center denied it is true.

But Bridgestone spokesman Dan MacDonald, a former local television reporter, couched his "won't comment" in cagier terms:

"We really don't have anything new to talk about right now," he told The Tennessean. Which could mean there is nothing to it. Or, more likely, it means they are still lawyering the contract and isn't about to confirm it yet.

To me, McDonald added, "We care about our community," and he pointed out Bridgestone's "robust" efforts in sports marketing. Along with sponsoring the Super Bowl and Winter Classic, the company already sponsors the Nashville Predators, owns a suite and blocks of season tickets.

The naming rights would not be a huge leap.

The Sommet deal with the Nashville Predators ends at the end of this hockey season. While I still think calling the building "The Nashville Arena" would be the simplest, and clearest, branding, Bridgestone is a good candidate. Why?

• People know what they sell. Sommet Center is named after a Franklin company that few, if any, folks know what they do (office management for other companies, like payroll and human resources stuff). Bridgestone sells tires.

• Bridgestone is generous locally. Take a gander at almost any silent auction at a charity function in town, and you will almost always find a Bridgestone-branded item, gift certificate or free tires. Their charitable arm routinely writes checks for nonprofit sponsorships. Not at all shabby, as corporate citizens go.

• Bridgestone is a stable company. Yes, they've had cost reductions over the last year. Who hasn't? But overall, they're rated among the top three tire manufacturers in the USA, with Goodyear and Michelin. The Japanese company survived a major tire recall in 2000, when it was still Bridgestone/Firestone, cleaning house at the top executive levels and coming back strong.

• It would be great for downtown and the Predators, providing some needed long-term stability.

So Bridgestone Center? Bridgestone Arena? Bridgestone's Nashville Arena? Load up some fancy new tires on the Zamboni, and let 'er roll.

Full Story Can Be Found At: Cool Springs TN

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Peace!
Dan