Aug. 7, 2012
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona State athletic director Steve Patterson
hosted a media luncheon Tuesday at ASU’s Karsten Golf Course at which he
revealed the school is exploring selling the naming rights to Sun Devil
Stadium once it is renovated.
Patterson said the school is still
conducting studies to determine the value such rights would demand and
which companies might make a good partner. MidFirst Bank already has a
deal with ASU and could get a crack at the rights if it wants them.
This
is a reveral from the Lisa Love era. Love said fans responded negatively
to the thought of a name change and the university would respect that,
but ASU needs revenue, and Patterson was brought here to generate it.
Patterson
also said ASU will decide soon whether to continue playing in the
stadium while renovating it in stages or move out for a season to
complete the renovations over a 21-month period. He said University of
Phoenix Stadium and Chase Field are possible temporary homes, adding that
one location is not a possibility.
"It ain't gonna be Tucson," he said.
-- Craig Morgan
