And not in a good way, either.
AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State Athletics Department will implement a “clear bag policy” for football games at MidAmerican Energy Field at Jack Trice Stadium and all events in Hilton Coliseum beginning this fall. The policy will enhance stadium security while improving efficiency at the entry gates.
Hold on. Back the truck up. From the Register:
MidAmerican Energy is putting up $1.5 million annually over the next 10 years to have its branding on the grass at the Cyclones’ football stadium.
*glares*
Originally, it was “Cyclone Stadium, Jack Trice Field”, in that order. What’s different now, besides the seven figures of cold hard cash per year involved? (… the blogger asked, answering the question. — Ed.) Who is going to be forced to use the whole name? As a long opponent of corporately named venues, I am uneasy with this and its potential effect on the visibility of Trice’s name.
But now to the other part, the bag policy. With the growing issue of lower attendance at college football games — in fact, live sports at multiple levels — is increasing fan inconvenience really a good idea? (Also, is it vaguely sexist since it results in a ban on purses?) There’s one other scheme out there that could make the off-field experience materially worse, but ISU AD Jamie Pollard is against it. For now.