Nov 30, 2007 9:07 pm US/Central
Q's About TCF Buyout: Could Stadium Name Change?
(WCCO)
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A buy-out could change the name of the new TCF Bank Stadium.
University of Minnesota
Naming the new Gopher football stadium after a big
corporate donor continues to stir up controversy, but the name could change before
the first kick off.
Speculation continues to swirl about a possible TCF
bank buy out. The trade publication Crain's Chicago Business reports TCF has "renewed
it's efforts to find a buyer."
A buy-out could change the name of the new TCF
Bank Stadium.
The ceremonial groundbreaking of the gopher football
team's new home focused on the future, but that could get murky for TCF bank
stadium's name if another bank buys the home town institution.
"Our agreement with TCF Bank provides protections for
the University of Minnesota in the event that the bank is no longer known by that name," said U
of M Chief Legal Counsel Mark Rotenberg.
Before construction ever started the University of
Minnesota made sure a bank merger or acquisition wouldn't result in an
unacceptable name for the stadium.
"The contract provides the University with certain veto
rights and the kind of protections we have in the deal are designed to protect the name and the close
identification of the that name with the University of Minnesota," said Rotenberg.
So you won't see say, Washington Mutual Stadium,
Bank of Montreal Stadium or any other regional or iconic name on the structure.
"It's great that they actually took that into
consideration," said sophomore marching band member Ryan Rosa.
"I think that's smart, otherwise you're going to
get stuff like Chicago and it's not really going to fit," said U of M junior
Laura Goesch.
TCF won't comment on possible buyouts, but a
spokesman said they are committed to the new stadium and will continue to honor
their financial obligations to the 'U'.
The bank's communications director said buyout rumors
have circulated for a year and a half and nothing has happened.
And some gopher fans say, what's in a name?
"It's just a name, it's still going to be a great
new home for us and it's going to be really great when it comes around,"
said Rosa.
A TCF spokesperson says the bank is dedicated to
Minnesota, doesn't plan on leaving and wants it's name on the stadium when it
opens.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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