Return of the Boston Garden?

**Richard Cabeza** · 11-25-2004, 08:43 AM

"November 25, 2004

Bank of America Corp. has told executives at the FleetCenter that it is no longer interested in putting its own name on the building, and even raised the possibility of renaming the arena as the Boston Garden as a gift to the city.

The bank originally had planned to change the name of the FleetCenter to the Bank of America Center after its $48 billion purchase of FleetBoston Financial Corp., according to executives briefed on the negotiations.

But in the past several weeks, the bank has backed away from that idea, the executives said, and instead floated plans to change the FleetCenter name to the Boston Garden, the name of the former home of the Celtics and the Bruins that was demolished when the FleetCenter was built."

Not sure I like a boring, generic arena like the "bank"center wearing the name Boston Garden..although it's a nice tribute and a lot better than having a spew out a stupid corporate name when you say the arena name..

If only they could resurrect the actual old Boston Garden

**ChrisFrez** · 11-26-2004, 08:55 AM

That is some pretty cool news

**Richard Cabeza** · 01-06-2005, 08:58 AM

Bank of America weaseled (read:bought) their way out of the naming rights contract. Naming rights for the Fleetcenter are now up for sale. So much for having an arena with a name that has an ounce of dignity

**ken_valyi** · 01-16-2005, 11:08 PM

I honestly think it's pathetic that arenas sell their names. Thank God the Bosox (and a few other teams) haven't sold out Fenway Park. It would be a bloody sacrilege if it became Google Park or whatever.

Everything is for sale in the world of sports... there is very little soul left.

**Richard Cabeza** · 01-31-2005, 01:03 PM

How true is that. TV commertials are what are really bothering me now. It seems like every company has to have a classic rock song in their ad. Circuit City has The Cars, Sylvania and Land Rover have both used songs by The Who, Cadillac has Led Zeppelin..You can't even listen to your CDs anymore without being reminded of a company. It's sickening. To combat it, I usually press mute on my remote when commertials come on. Then you local companies, like Foxwoods casino. They advertise during Bruins games here in Boston on NESN. They haven't changed their theme song in at least 7 years. Empire carpet must have a commertial running on any given channel every 8 seconds here as well (and they have an annoying jingle at the end of their commertials too. I'm officially disgusted by corporate greed.

**Richard Cabeza** · 02-16-2005, 09:59 AM

One more follow up to this. Bank of America is now selling their naming rights, day by day, to the public. Some kid from some rich town on the south shore named Kurt named it the Kurtcenter for the Beanpot championship. I think the Fleetcenter is the first arena to do this, and I think it's even more lame than naming it after a company. I just call it "The Garden". It's easier than memorizing 41 different names a season

**ChrisFrez** · 02-16-2005, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by Richard Cabeza

One more follow up to this. Bank of America is now selling their naming rights, day by day, to the public. Some kid from some rich town on the south shore named Kurt named it the Kurtcenter for the Beanpot championship. I think the Fleetcenter is the first arena to do this, and I think it's even more lame than naming it after a company. I just call it "The Garden". It's easier than memorizing 41 different names a season

Are you serious???? That has got to be the most assinine thing i've ever heard of.

**ken_valyi** · 02-16-2005, 10:55 AM

This crap blows my mind.

**ChrisFrez** · 03-03-2005, 05:23 AM

Here ya go, they are gonna announce the new name today.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=116882

**ChrisFrez** · 03-07-2005, 11:01 AM

BOSTON -- The FleetCenter has a new name: TD Banknorth Garden.

Is anybody actually gonna call the place anything BUT The Garden?

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/sport...ory?id=2003693

**KKringle** · 03-20-2006, 02:21 PM

In reference to a posting by Richard Cabeza dated 2/16/05, may I just point out that on that night of the renaming of the Fleetcenter to the Kurtcenter, the young man had no say in the matter and instead, it was through the generosity and teamwork of the Make-a-wish Foundation and the Fleetcenter's management group. If Mr. Cabeza had done a little more homework, he would have learned about the struggle Kurt was going through - a fight for his life against cancer. Kurt's wish was for season tickets to the Bruins home games, and even through the lockout, stayed with that wish. As he continued to be treated with chemotherapy, the Make-a-Wish organization contacted the Fleetcenter management team and together granted Kurt a special wish, the first ever renaming of the Fleetcenter to what I will always call the Kurtcenter. On that night of 2/14/05, Chris Bourke won the Beanpot Tournement for Boston University with his OT goal, making it even moreso a great night to remember. For anyone reading this, please remember Kurt as always a Bruins hockey fan first. He is still with us, continuing his fight now 2 1/2 years after being diagnosed.

**Richard Cabeza** · 03-20-2006, 03:54 PM

So sorry Mr Holier-than-thou for "not doing my homework". Back it off...

**ken_valyi** · 03-22-2006, 02:38 PM

You registered just to post that rant on a thread that's over a year old?

Rich wasn't slamming the kid, but the inane Bruin and Garden ownership who have no respect for the history and tradition of our sport.

I'm glad to hear that Kurt is still fighting the good fight and hope to hear that he pulls through. Take care of yourself man. We mean you no offense here.

**Richard Cabeza** · 03-26-2006, 01:02 PM

My intention certainly wasn't to slam the kid, and if I knew the cause I sure as hell would not have even posted this thread. I'm a student of anatomy and physilogy, getting into healthcare and my own mother has cancer, so I know all too well how devestating this disease is and how scary it is. BUT, when you're a Bruins fan, you know all too well how often ownership and management sells-out on the history of the franchise, so it's way too easy to jump the gun on these things. Glad the kid is fighting it though.