"Bud Light Amphitheater", nice work Raleigh (amphitheatre, tax)

[Kids_Dentist]

I would encourage all of you to give the city feedback, hopefully negative, regarding their recent decision to name the new downtown amphitheater the "Bud Light Amphitheater". Way to go city of Raleigh, not only did you violate state laws by having a closed session meeting to decide the name but you set the state back 30 years by supporting the stereotypes that people down here are a bunch of hicks.

Here is a link to provide feedback to the city:

City of Raleigh | Government (http://www.raleighnc.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_0_306_207_0_43/http;/pt03/DIG_Web_Content/category/Government/DowntownAmphitheatreNamingRightsSurvey.html - broken link)


I know this may seem more appealing than paying costs from taxpayer money but surely the city can do better finding a more appropriate sponsor.

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

Originally Posted by Kids_Dentist

I would encourage all of you to give the city feedback, hopefully negative, regarding their recent decision to name the new downtown amphitheater the "Bud Light Amphitheater". Way to go city of Raleigh, not only did you violate state laws by having a closed session meeting to decide the name but you set the state back 30 years by supporting the stereotypes that people down here are a bunch of hicks.

Here is a link to provide feedback to the city:

City of Raleigh | Government (http://www.raleighnc.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_0_306_207_0_43/http;/pt03/DIG_Web_Content/category/Government/DowntownAmphitheatreNamingRightsSurvey.html - broken link)


I know this may seem more appealing than paying costs from taxpayer money but surely the city can do better finding a more appropriate sponsor.

Wow, you have some bad information. Did you even read the info on the website you linked to? No decision has been made. No laws have been broken. The City is providing an opportunity for the public to weigh in via the survey about the possibility of naming it after a beer company. As of right now, it is being called "The Raleigh Amphitheater".

Here is a link that explains the issues a little better. As you can see, the naming is not a done deal and revisions would need to be made to exisitng laws for it to happen. Link to more info

FWIW, I don't see why people would be against this. I love the guy quoted as saying he thinks naming it after a beer company "would draw the wrong crowd".

What crowd would that be? The type that enjoys music and a cold beer? Give me a break. Do people think naming it something else means people who drink wouldn't come there?

Where was the outrage when Bud Light sponsored the concert series in Moore square for the past few years? I went to those shows all the time. It was a very family friendly atmosphere.

I guess I am part of the wrong crowd.

[ncsualum2004]

I don't have a problem with it at all actually... just based on my visits to other states it's not unusual.

Besides how many people take their kids to BUSCH Gardens?

[Where'sHome?]

So....Miller Park in Milwaukee is a bad thing? Better tell the Brewers.....

I'm just sayin'...........

[Cheex]

How exactly does Bud Light make people a "bunch of hicks", that's ridiculous!

[zaralia]

I don't know, I feel like Busch or Miller or even Budweiser would be better than Bud Light. I have no problem with the alcohol relation. I just find the name a little goofy.

[Kids_Dentist]

Originally Posted by North_Raleigh_Guy

Wow, you have some bad information. Did you even read the info on the website you linked to?

Actually, you have some bad information. But thanks for the attitude. Yes I read the link I posted but I've also read the numerous other articles that have been published in our local media. The naming was actually voted on in secret and the only reason it wasn't definitive is because it violates state liquor advertising regulations. After taking heat on voting behind closed doors to seek a law change from the ABC Commission the city back-peddled and asked for feedback. Must you be such a know it all my gosh. My issue with it is the same reason they stopped advertising marlboros in magazines, kids see it and obviously it has the intended effect or they wouldn't pay the money they do. I'd anticipate minors under the age of 21 will be attending shows here and personally I don't think it sets a good example for our youth.

Bud Light plan was approved in secret

Bud Light plan was approved in secret - Local - NewsObserver.com

RALEIGH --
Raleigh's city council kept its preference for Bud Light quiet when it voted in secret last week to explore giving the lager naming rights to the city's new downtown amphitheater.
[LEFT]
[/LEFT]



Raleigh seeks Bud Light name on downtown amphitheater :: WRAL.com

Raleigh, N.C. — Raleigh is working with Anheuser-Busch on a deal for the naming rights to the city's new downtown amphitheater, but state liquor regulators are hesitant to approve such a deal, WRAL News has learned.

[aphorista]

I don't care for the name either and hope that it does not pass.

[miamiblue]

Hm, so clearly local media is the last word. From the excerpts you quoted, I'm not really sure what exactly happened in the super-secret-covert-hush-hush meeting.

Did they:

A. "explore giving the lager naming rights to the city's new downtown amphitheater"

B. 'voted to "agree to name its new downtown amphitheater the Bud-Lite [sic] Amphitheater in return for monetary consideration,"' or

C. "voted to name the venue the Bud Light Amphitheater"?

It doesn't sound like any kind of deal was reached, contract signed, etc. The way I'm understanding it is that they probably had the meeting because they had received an offer from Anheuser-Busch, they recognized that this was a great way to fund the venue in lieu of tax dollars (which I'm sure there are plenty of folks griping about), they knew that there was a law prohibiting naming the venue after an alcohol company (archaic laws like this do more to perpetuate a "hick" stereotype you mentioned earlier, IMHO), and they met to discuss the options. After all, Bud Light has been the sponsor for Raleigh Downtown Live for several years now, and it seems as though this amphitheater is kind of taking the place of that event.

I don't love the idea of the Bud Light Downtown Raleigh Amphitheater (I'd much rather see the Lonerider, Big Boss, Triangle, Aviator, CBC etc. Amphitheather), but I really don't think this is worth getting one's panties in a wad over. If a deal had already been reached, that'd be a different story.

[jeffm]

There are venues that have naming rights from beer companies all over the country. It isn't going to make the city look like "a bunch of hicks". That is ridiculous.