Tag Archives: New Meadowlands Stadium

Insurance giant MetLife will officially take over today as the overarching sponsor of the stadium known as the New Meadowlands. For the next quarter-century, the stadium will be known as – what else – MetLife Stadium.

From Bloomberg.com:

The venue will be known as MetLife Stadium. The agreement also makes the company the official insurer of the Giants, Jets and the building, and provides the company with 120,000 square feet of promotional space. Its name will be displayed on four signs outside the stadium.

“With our status as one of the world’s leading life insurers, we wanted to partner with a world-class venue that would extend the reach of our brand to levels unmatched in the industry,” Steven Kandarian, chief executive officer of MetLife, said in a statement. “I’m confident that this partnership will strengthen our brand and help drive value for shareholders.”

Financial details of the agreement weren’t disclosed in the release. The rights package would be around $400 million, less than the record $23.3 million a year Farmers Insurance Group said it would pay Anschutz Entertainment Group to name a proposed NFL stadium in Los Angeles, according to a person familiar with the New Jersey contract who was granted anonymity because details of the deal aren’t being released.

Tagged MetLife Stadium, New Meadowlands Stadium |

SportsBusiness Journal is reporting that MetLife is close to a deal to buy the naming rights to the New Meadowlands Stadium. According to the report, the deal will be worth between $17 and $18 million a year.

MetLife is in advanced discussions with New Meadowlands Stadium to upgrade its corner sponsorship at the year-old facility to a full naming-rights deal. A source close to the deal described the negotiations as “very advanced, but not complete.”

Other sources familiar with the matter emphasized that while a deal to name the home of the New York Jets and Giants, and the site of the 2014 Super Bowl, MetLife Stadium was not finalized, discussions have progressed enough that those inquiring about naming rights in the last month have been told that they were not available, though a cornerstone sponsorship could be. Several sources said MetLife is paying about $7 million a year for its cornerstone deal, and that the naming-rights package being considered would average between $17 million and $18 million a year.

For New Meadowlands Stadium, the deal would be a significant statement, as well as the ultimate up-sell. National attention has focused on the inability to land a naming-rights partner at high-profile venues like New Meadowlands and Cowboys Stadium. Executives with New Meadowlands, the Jets and Giants, and Wasserman Media Group have been in the market for years pitching the deal, which initially had a sticker price of more than $30 million a year.

The full story is here.

Tagged MetLife, New Meadowlands Stadium |

How Plaxico Burress‘ jail term cost the state of New Jersey big time. Aditi Kinkhabwala, Wall Street Journal

A deal for naming rights to the New Meadowlands Stadium could be in place by the start of the season. Rich Cimini, ESPN New York

Andy Robustelli was ”the perfect Giant.” Jerry Izenberg, Star-Ledger

Note: A funeral service will be held for Robustelli on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at St. Cecilia Church in Stamford, CT. A public viewing will be held from 2-8 p.m. on Friday and from 8:30-10:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Lacerenza Funeral Home in Stamford. Robustelli died Tuesday morning from complications due to major surgery. The former Giant was 85.

Tagged Andy Robustelli, New Meadowlands Stadium, New York Giants, Plaxico Burress |

Alright so we might be 48 hours from kickoff but we’ve got some business to take care of. Literally.

According to Bloomberg, the town of East Rutherford has sent the Giants a $745,000 bill for taxes on the practice complex built on the site of the New Meadowlands Stadium. If the town successfully collects these taxes, expect the Giants and Jets to get taxed on their new stadium next year:

“We believe the new stadium built for the Jets and Giants and the training facility should be taxable,” [James] Cassella, the mayor of East Rutherford, told the state’s Local Finance Board at a meeting in Trenton today. “For some reason, they believe they shouldn’t have to pay taxes on a private development.”

The teams are balking at taxes on their new buildings, which sit on tax-exempt property, though they are privately owned, Cassella said. The former Giants Stadium, which operated on the same site until last year, was exempt from property taxes because it was owned by a public entity, the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority.

In other business news, the Associated Press reports that the Giants and Jets had the steepest ticket increases this year as they moved into their new stadium:

Jets non-premium tickets went up 31.8 percent to $114.64 on average, and the Giants rose 26 percent to $111.69. New Orleans raised its average 20.5 percent to $74.99 after winning the Super Bowl.

Among premium seats, the Patriots also were first at $566.67, followed by the Giants ($464.75), Chicago Bears ($372), Cowboys ($340), Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($295) and Jets ($287.41).

Finally, Roger Goodell spoke to Newsday’s Neil Best about the empty seats at the new stadium. Here is a small portion of what Goodell had to say:

“You’d love to see full stadiums, but I do think we need to recognize what’s going on in our environment. It’s a challenging time out there.”

Tagged East Rutherford, New Meadowlands Stadium, New York Giants, New York Jets, NFL, NFL Tickets, NJ, Roger Goodell |

The New Meadowlands Stadium comes with new parking rules and configurations.

If you do not have a pre-paid parking permit, you will not be allowed entrance to the stadium parking lot. There is no longer a general or one-time admission option.

Please read below if you plan on attending Giants home games and DO NOT have a parking permit…

Parking Permits

• Parking permits will be required for all vehicles entering the Sports Complex (stadium and IZOD Center sides of the complex).
• Parking permits must be displayed at all times while on the Sports Complex; they can be hung from the rear view mirror or they can be placed on the dashboard of the vehicle.
• Parking permits only grant the ticket holder access to the Sports Complex parking lots. They do not entitle the ticket holder to a reserved parking space in a specific parking lot.
• The parking permit entitles the ticket holder to one parking space for his/her vehicle and tailgate set-up. Adjacent parking spaces may not be used for grills, chairs, tents etc.
• A ticket holder who may be in possession of more than one pre-paid parking permit will not be allowed to use adjacent spaces for tailgating.
• Parking permits will not be replaced if lost, stolen or destroyed.

Park and Ride Train

A pre-paid parking permit will be required for all vehicles entering the Sports Complex (Stadium and IZOD Center sides of the Complex). Ticket holders who do not have parking permits can park at the surface parking lot located next to the Frank R. Lautenberg Train Station in Secaucus, NJ (Secaucus Junction). It is located off Exit 15X on the eastern extension of the New Jersey Turnpike (675 New Country Road at Seaview Drive, Secaucus, N.J., 07094). Ticket holders can park in this 1,100-space parking lot and take the rail service to the Meadowlands Sports Complex. The parking lot is open 24 hours a day. The cost to park in this lot will be $20 per game or $160 for the season. Call 888-PARKFAST or visit www.parkfast.com for more information about the Park and Ride.

Tagged New Meadowlands Stadium, New York Giants |

The new $1.7 billion stadium built to house both the Jets and the Giants still does not have an overarching sponsor. To date, they have not received many serious offers, at least none that will pay them any significant amount of money, anyway.

The unstable economy is the culprit, officials claim, but the asking price is also keeping many potential suitors on the sidelines.

It is believed that the Giants and Jets are seeking a deal similar or greater than the Mets’ deal with Citigroup ($400 million over 20 years).

The stadium, which will also be the host of the 2014 Super Bowl, will keep the name “New Meadowlands Stadium“ until a legitimate offer presents itself.

From Bart Hubbuch of The Post……

A lucrative naming-rights deal is imperative for the Giants and Jets because they each have nearly $900 million in stadium construction costs to pay off.

“There’s lots of discussion going on, but we’re not at a point where we’re interested in talking about it,” said Mark Lamping, the CEO of the New Meadowlands Stadium Corp.

However, the Giants and Jets have “cornerstone” deals with Pepsi, Verizon, Met Life and Budweiser for signage in each of the four corners of the new 82,500-seat stadium that are each worth $8 million annually — no small change and significantly more than Jacksonville’s overall naming-rights deal.

The corner sponsorships also put the Giants and Jets ahead of the Cowboys’ Jerry Jones, who has yet to land a title sponsor for the $1 billion stadium he opened last year despite playing host to this season’s Super Bowl.

Tagged New Meadowlands Stadium, New York Giants, New York Jets |

Jets to Unveil “Ring Of Honor” in Preseason Game vs Giants

The Jets just can’t wait another second to plant that umbrella of theirs in the sand at the New Meadowlands Stadium.

They announced yesterday that they are establishing a Ring of Honor, to finally begin to recognize their past and the scores of players who wore the green and white. The initial inductees are: Weeb Ewbank, Winston Hill, Joe Klecko, Curtis Martin, Don Maynard and Joe Namath.

This is all fine and dandy to me, because it’s about time the Jets began to treat their former players with a bit more dignity, respect and gratitude.  But, as usual, some think they’re not doing it in the best possible way.

Some fans, such as WFAN radio personality Joe Beningo, are upset the ceremony will take place during halftime of a preseason game.  Beningo believes the Jets should unveil the ring during the regular season opener  – a nationally televised Monday night game vs Baltimore.

Beningo is failing to remember the Jets’ priorities these days. They want to be top dog in this city, and what better way to start by doing this in front of the “visiting” Giants? It is also the first game ever at the new stadium. The place will be packed, so who will really cares if it’s preseason or not?

Unfortunately, this is more about sticking it to the Giants  and making money than it is about honoring past players.

The Jets are seeking security, especially after a brush with blackout territory in their initial season ticket subscriptions.  So, all tactics to promote the brand and sell tickets are in play – including going after their business partners and co-tenants, the Giants.  They grossly mishandled the ticket situation at the new stadium and completely underestimated their fan base’s economic demography.  Now they are making all decisions – on and off the field – based on whether they will help sell more PSLs.  This is not how a team with Super Bowl aspirations should conduct business.

The Jet demographic is much different than the Giants.  The Jets fan is younger and has less resources. The PSL prices on the seats closest to the field are unaffordable to most of them. Many returning Jets’ season ticket holders from the old stadium are in the upper level, or bowl, where there the seats have no PSL attached to them.

They will have scores of empty seats in the premium levels come the season opener. Most Jet fans will not pay 15k for a PSL  – and then pay in the upwards of $400 per ticket per game to see their team.  It’s that plain and simple.

The sales force is working overtime. The Jets even called me about buying a PSL. I guess they didn’t Google me before the call.  The salesman asked me if I was interested in buying Jets season tickets.  I told him who I was and what I do. He still wanted to keep pitching…

I’m wondering if this “Ring” will be a permanent structure or just an electronic feature piped in for Jets home games.  If this is a permanent addition to the new stadium, there will be scores of Giant fans wanting some answers, too.

Tagged New Meadowlands Stadium, New York Giants, New York Jets |

It’s amazing how quick we are to turn the page. This is a story that restores a bit of hope.

Maybe it wasn’t Yankee Stadium, and maybe it didn’t have the history and aura of the late ballpark in the Bronx, but for Giants’ co-owner John Mara, the dismantling of the old Giants Stadium, despite the excitement of moving into the team’s new $1.6 billion home, made him feel as if the family house was being torn down.

Mara was 21 when he attended his first game at Giants Stadium. Today he’s 55, and now he walks into a new home just across the parking lot at the Meadowlands. In a story in last Sunday’s New York Times, Mara recalled what it felt like to walk into the old stadium for the first time (October 10, 1976; a 13-7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys).

“I remember being in the locker room with my father (then co-owner Wellington Mara), and how disappointed he was,” Mara said.  “And I remember Marty Schottenheimer, who was our defensive coordinator, walking up to him in the locker room and saying, ‘I’m sorry we ruined your day, Mr. Mara.’ And he said, ‘Oh, you didn’t ruin it.’ But he wasn’t telling the truth.”

Eventually, Mara would inherit his father’s office in the old stadium. Wellington Mara died in 2005, and it took his son quite some time to feel comfortable moving in.

“I stood there for a while,” Mara said of his last visit to the office in the old stadium. “It was tough.”

“We got all of his pictures out, but it was tough. Because that was his office. It wasn’t really mine. I was just borrowing it for a while. I had a lot of conversations with him in there — about the team, personal conversations — and I remember his last day in there before he went to the hospital. That was an emotional day.”

Mara joined the Giants in 1991 and became the chief executive and president when his father died. He spoke about what it was like to see the old stadium come down.

“Every day you come in, there’s another section down,” Mara said. “We’ve had to watch this agonizing destruction, piece by piece. I’ve spent a lot of emotion on it already. Now I’m just ready for it to come down.”

As for naming rights to the new stadium, Mara said the following:

“We like to refer to it as the New Giants Stadium, for the time being, anyway.”

It will be the Giants’ new home.

Tagged John Mara, New Meadowlands Stadium, New York Giants, New York Giants Blogs, New York Giants News |

Big Blue, Meadowlands Ink Deal With Diageo

The global conglomerate that produces such famous booze brands as Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Guinness and Smirnoff Vodka will now be the sole sponsor of the Giants’ Post-Game Show on WFAN radio and will prominently post advertisements throughout the New Meadowlands Stadium.

The deal between the three entities was announced this morning.

According to PR Newswire / First Call…“…Diageo, the world’s leading premium drink business with a collection of brands across spirits, wine and beer, today announced a sponsorship deal with the National Football League’s (NFL) New York Giants and the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Activation around the multi-year deal, which goes into effect immediately, will highlight the Captain Morgan and Smirnoff brands, with continued programs around responsible drinking.”

“The New York Giants and the New Meadowlands Stadium share the same vision and demands for quality and success as Diageo,” said Alison Forrestal, General Manager, Diageo Mid-Atlantic. “This partnership is a touchdown in our eyes, as we’re able to now effectively reach many of our brands’ target consumers in the number one football market in the country with messages pertaining to responsible drinking.”

“…The agreement allows for hospitality, brand visibility and signage throughout the complex, and sponsorship of the New York Giants’ Post Game Show on WFAN-AM, the team’s flagship radio station. Diageo will also receive usage rights to the New York Giants and Meadowlands Stadium trademarks in conjunction with the Captain Morgan and Smirnoff brands in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. …… Additionally, adult fans will have the opportunity to enjoy the game at the New Meadowlands Stadium from two world-class branded bars featuring Captain Morgan and Johnnie Walker respectively….”

Since no one besides a website that promotes adultery and a bank that hid Nazi assets have come forward to offer a naming rights deal for the entire stadium, the teams and the stadium will most likely be doing more of this parsing-out-type of branding.

Tagged New Meadowlands Stadium, New York Giants, New York Giants Blogs, New York Giants News |

$1.6 Billion For a Place That Lacks Charm

And you thought the turf was the only criticism people had of the New Meadowlands Stadium.

John Mara, Steve Tisch, and Woody Johnson might want to stay away from Ralph Vacchiano’s review of the Giants’ new home on his Daily News’ Blue Screen Blog. The beat writer admits that the old stadium didn’t have much personality, but considering it took $1.6 billion to build this new football palace, he wasn’t all that impressed:

It’s not only the color scheme that jumps out, either. It’s the design. It’s big, gray, very boxy and lacking in charm. I’ve seen every NFL stadium in the country and a majority of the baseball stadiums, too. And while I concede that most football stadiums lack the personality and charm that baseball stadiums tend to have, many of them have something. This one does not.

Vacchiano admits that he didn’t get to see the whole stadium, and he was impressed with the scoreboard TVs and the roomy concourses. He expects that, on game days, the place should look more like the home of the Giants. Still, he wasn’t impressed after experiencing the stadium for the first time during June mini-camp:

It’s not only the color scheme that jumps out, either. It’s the design. It’s big, gray, very boxy and lacking in charm. I’ve seen every NFL stadium in the country and a majority of the baseball stadiums, too. And while I concede that most football stadiums lack the personality and charm that baseball stadiums tend to have, many of them have something. This one does not.

The hits keep coming. On the New York Times’ Fifth Down Blog, Toni Monkovic picks up where Vacchiano left off:

Based on photographs, the New Meadowlands Stadium appears dull and gray. It turns out that the photos do the stadium justice.

And finally (for now), the New Yorker’s Samantha Henig has this to say in her review of the new digs:

Since its inception, the new $1.6 billion Meadowlands stadium has been about making money.

Tagged New Meadowlands Stadium, New York Giants | ← Older posts