THE ARENA IS BACK!

By Dan Miller
March 8, 2007

Was it my hounding that did it?
Was it the immense, far-reaching power of Dan Miller's Notebook?
Well, maybe not.... but, you gotta admit, it's something to think about.

It was almost a year ago.... April 2006.... when I wrote my little essay suggesting a return to the name "Nashville" on our downtown arena.
I also offered an easy way to do it.

A few lines down I'll give you a direct link to the column, so you can decide for yourself.

After writing that essay, I forwarded it to several folks on the Nashville Metropolitan Sports Authority, though I never heard back from them.

I also sent it to a top executive with the Predators, who answered that (in essence) it was a good idea, but possibly "cost prohibitive" because of the expense of changing all the signs inside and outside the arena.

But it seemed to make sense to me and many of my friends, though they would often -- mysteriously -- leave the room whenever I started harping on it.

This week -- when the Predators announced the facility would again be named the "Nashville Arena" -- several folks called me to say, "you did it!"
So.... well.... I don't know.... maybe.

The truth is probably that the Predators figured calling it the Nashville Arena would have more appeal as they campaign for much needed local corporate sponsorship of suites and seating.

No matter what, I'm happy the Predators decided the facility will again -- even if just for awhile -- showcase our wonderful city's name for all the world to see.
And I hope that whenever a new long-term naming rights partner signs on, they'll keep "Nashville" somewhere on the building.

You can CLICK RIGHT HERE to read what I proposed in 2006.
Now, I've got to get busy seeing if I can bring back Opryland!

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