Miller Park name change coming after the 2020 season

[AJAY]

Been a lurker for years and enjoyed visiting these forums daily to feed my Brewer fandom. This recent news has finally pushed me to register. I am in management at American Family and can say that the reaction in house is not that different than I am seeing in the general public. I would, however, like to add some more information that may add some additional things to consider. This is not just a naming rights deal for American Family, this is just one aspect of a huge commitment to the greater Milwaukee area in general. American Family has shifted hard into investing in community efforts around the country and Milwaukee was chosen as their next location. Here are some of the other big investments they are making:

 

Milwaukee workplace: Combining the Pewaukee regional office with a mixed-talent group of targeted corporate functions, including local career-development paths.

 

Community investment: Creating deliberate and intentional partnerships with local businesses, government entities and charities to have a lasting economic impact.

 

University partnership: Aligning a variety of university relationships and programs with talent recruitment and development goals, such as tech scholarships, internships and youth development.

 

Institute for Corporate and Social Impact: Extending the mission of the Institute into this new market to increase the impact of our socially-minded investments and partnerships.

 

Storefront and recruitment center: Creating a first-of-its-kind center to provide continuous delivery to market, along with developing a diverse and talented sales base.

 

DreamBank: This will authentically represent and be easily accessible to the greater Milwaukee community through thoughtful and intentional focus on diversity and inclusion of staff, speakers, content, events, tools, resources, partnerships and paid media, all of which will differentiate it from the Madison DreamBank experience.

 

This is going to be a huge investment not only to the park, but also to the community as well.

 

 

All this being said, it will always be Miller Park to me also!

 

We are not stockholders for American Family Insurance. We are Brewers season ticket holders. The American Family Insurance company objectives have absolutely no importance to us.

 

We want a baseball franchise that manages to create an aura, similar to teams that have ballparks with a consistent recognizable name that spans across many generations. We want a ballpark name that incites a sense of identity, history and pride. We want a ballpark name that verbally sounds very pleasant and flows well with the name of the team and the city. Miller Park fits all that criteria perfectly.

 

What we don’t want is to have a ballpark name that is awkward, long, generic, corporate sounding, and evokes no positive emotional feeling. We don’t want a ballpark name that elicits no feeling of connection to our city. We also don’t want a ballpark name that elicits anger, disgust, controversy, and ignores the wishes of the paying customers who have been incredibly loyal and supportive for generations.

 

Miller Park is the most perfect name ever for a ballpark considering the city it is located in. No ballpark name fits better anywhere. I absolutely refuse to be associated with the lower class of sports franchises that adopt ridiculous sponsor names. I want the best aura and brand-image possible.

 

I strongly believe that whatever additional revenue the team may make from this horrible sponsorship agreement will be offset in the long run by the significant loss in brand image the Brewers baseball team will experience. You make revenue by strengthening emotional connection and loyalty over the years. You don’t enhance your image and marketability by being just another generic sports team.

 

The Brewers ownership needs to start treating this franchise like it is something extra special and run it’s business accordingly. We have a beloved ball-and-glove logo, the best tailgaiting tradition, the original mascot race, and our fan support is amongst the best. We now have a winning product.

 

This place is special and unique, and it needs to be treated accordingly.

 

The name “Miller Park” must be preserved !

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mtrebs]

I strongly believe that whatever additional revenue the team may make from this horrible sponsorship agreement will be offset in the long run by the significant loss in brand image the Brewers baseball team will experience.

 

It doesn’t even sound like there is additional revenue because of this. If true, the talk about this being a move to further help the franchise is false. It would only keep the status quo financially while hurting the brand.

[areacodes]

We want a baseball franchise that manages to create an aura, similar to teams that have ballparks with a consistent recognizable name that spans across many generations. We want a ballpark name that incites a sense of identity, history and pride. We want a ballpark name that verbally sounds very pleasant and flows well with the name of the team and the city. Miller Park fits all that criteria perfectly.

 

How many of these exist in your mind? Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, Dodgers? Those are stadiums/franchises that have been around for a long time and aren’t corporate names... Miller Park was and it takes two to tango to keep the naming rights. Miller obviously didn’t think it was worth it going forward.

 

What we don’t want is to have a ballpark name that is awkward, long, generic, corporate sounding, and evokes no positive emotional feeling. We don’t want a ballpark name that elicits no feeling of connection to our city. We also don’t want a ballpark name that elicits anger, disgust, controversy, and ignores the wishes of the paying customers who have been incredibly loyal and supportive for generations.

 

Maybe that is what you, and possibly the majority of people want, but I personally don’t go because it was called Miller Park or has a connection to Milwaukee. I go to watch the Brewers play.

 

Miller Park is the most perfect name ever for a ballpark considering the city it is located in. No ballpark name fits better anywhere. I absolutely refuse to be associated with the lower class of sports franchises that adopt ridiculous sponsor names. I want the best aura and brand-image possible.

 

I agree that Miller Park fit perfectly but changing it doesn’t mean we are a lower class of sports franchise. I think there would also be way less backlash right now if it had been Harley Davidson Park or Froedtert Health Field at first, but we are replacing one corporation with another here... not remaining Lambeau Field or Camp Randall Stadium with a corporate name.

 

Are you really going to stop following the Brewers because the name of the stadium changed?

 

The Brewers ownership needs to start treating this franchise like it is something extra special and run it’s business accordingly. We have a beloved ball-and-glove logo, the best tailgaiting tradition, the original mascot race, and our fan support is amongst the best. We now have a winning product.

 

I feel like this ownership group has been treating this franchise like it is pretty special especially after how the Selig tenure ended. They are investing in our team, constantly upgrading the stadium for fans and finally seem to be in a position to have winning teams consistently. That seems like a better thing than worrying what the stadium is named.

 

Also, what if this switch brings the Ball and Glove logo back as the main logo? Would you support it then?

 

This place is special and unique, and it needs to be treated accordingly.

 

The name “Miller Park” must be preserved !

 

The stadium will remain a special and unique place with or without it being called Miller Park... that wasn’t what made it special.

[Montezuma]

The stadium will remain a special and unique place with or without it being called Miller Park... that wasn’t what made it special.

 

What made Miller Park special was the fans. I do not care in the least what the park is named.

[areacodes]

The stadium will remain a special and unique place with or without it being called Miller Park... that wasn’t what made it special.

 

What made Miller Park special was the fans. I do not care in the least what the park is named.

 

Agreed and it would be truly sad if some fans don’t go because of a change in the name of the venue.

[TURBO]

I understand that tradition is not an important thing to a lot of our younger fans, but to those of us who have been following the Brewers since the 70's, Tradition is important. I absolutely LOVE AJAY's post above.

 

It bothers me that I will have to refer to the Brewers stadium as anything other than Miller Park, just like it would have bothered me if County Stadium would have had a corporate name added to it back in the day.

 

There is nothing wrong with those of us who want that tradition, and acting like people are crazy for caring is ridiculous.

 

Not being a Packer fan myself, I can only imagine the backlash the Packers would receive if they suddenly added a corporate sponsor to the sacred Lambeau Field. Imagine AmFam Lambeau Field? Yuk.

 

Yes, Miller is a corporation, but the name fit perfectly, and doesn't sound like a corporation. It felt right from the beginning, and is going to feel all wrong being referred to as anything but Miller Park.

 

I just really hate this decision. Will it cause me to not follow the Brewers, of course not, it just feels wrong, disgusting, and bothersome.

 

Sometimes, change is good, but in this case, it really sucks.

[PlayerHader]

I always like the Dome name for covered stadiums and the Brewers have the unique baseball retractable fan roof which is the distinctive feature of the stadium.

 

There is the Superdome and Alamodome, I hope they rename Miller Park to the Brewerdome. The AmFam Brewerdome sounds good to me, people will simply call it the Brewerdome.

 

How about the Brewerfandome?

[Invader3K]

 

How about the Brewerfandome?

 

I guess we should start a Gofundme for this!

[Invader3K]

Here's an interview with some comments from an American Family executive. He mentions that they "don't want a name that's five or six words long".

 

https://www.tmj4.com/sports/baseball/milwaukee-brewers/american-family-insurance-responds-to-feedback-on-miller-park-name-change?fbclid=IwAR2gCzdE1J57gV42qnLLGlj2YYVomybOrGAXlpSRfYAbVFDDrdrDma7ftrM

[mtrebs]

Here's an interview with some comments from an American Family executive. He mentions that they "don't want a name that's five or six words long".

 

https://www.tmj4.com/sports/baseball/milwaukee-brewers/american-family-insurance-responds-to-feedback-on-miller-park-name-change?fbclid=IwAR2gCzdE1J57gV42qnLLGlj2YYVomybOrGAXlpSRfYAbVFDDrdrDma7ftrM

 

Unfortunately “American Family Insurance Park” meets his criteria.

[xisxisxis]

Milwaukee once had a national identity as the Beer Capital of the US and it was marketed as such years ago. When most of the Breweries shut down and/or merged that identity was lost and wasn't replaced (unless you want to argue former beer capital is an identity). Nationally Milwaukee is now just any small metropolitan area and has no true identity. That identity was a part of growing up in Milwaukee years ago and is important to many for nostalgia, but also sense of community.

 

Miller was the leading brewery and intimately linked to the Beer Capital identity. Millers's battle with Anheuser-Busch was a national fight for Beer supremacy and the 1982 World Series was an extension of that battle. The sheer number of breweries in Milwaukee at least gave us the "Capital" identity whether Miller bested Anheuser or not. Most of that is now part of history as most breweries shut down and Miller was taken over, however, that link to a national identity is still an important part of Milwaukee identity to many and the link to Miller Park is a visceral thing, a part of history and a part of the Brewers history. Miller is not just a name of a brewery, it was a part of Milwaukee's identity for decades and while it isn't an independent Milwaukee-based company anymore, for many it is still a symbol of a day when we as a collective group had a national identity that set us apart from Portland, or Nashville, or Charlotte, or any other smaller metropolitan area.

 

That is why many are upset over the loss of "Miller Park".

[areacodes]

Milwaukee once had a national identity as the Beer Capital of the US and it was marketed as such years ago.

 

What goes a longer way to continue that identity? The team being called the Brewers that has been around for almost 50 years or a stadium being named for a corporate brewery that still has some ties to the community?

 

I understand the traditional aspect of it and I’ll honestly still call it Miller Park for many years (heck, I’ll probably still call it Miller Park when it is eventually torn down). I just think there are many more important traditions around the Brewers and stadium that won’t change even when the name does.

[TURBO]

Milwaukee once had a national identity as the Beer Capital of the US and it was marketed as such years ago.

 

What goes a longer way to continue that identity? The team being called the Brewers that has been around for almost 50 years or a stadium being named for a corporate brewery that still has some ties to the community?

 

I understand the traditional aspect of it and I’ll honestly still call it Miller Park for many years (heck, I’ll probably still call it Miller Park when it is eventually torn down). I just think there are many more important traditions around the Brewers and stadium that won’t change even when the name does.

 

 

Hard to make or keep traditions if the things that were once traditional contiune to change...

[xisxisxis]

What goes a longer way to continue that identity? The team being called the Brewers that has been around for almost 50 years or a stadium being named for a corporate brewery that still has some ties to the community?

The irony in all of this is that you are taking a team named after that tradition and identity ("Brewers") and now removing the link to the name which even more closely is linked to that identity and tradition ("Miller"). Miller isn't a corporation, it's the link to that identity. Milwaukee Brewers + Miller Park = identity/tradition, Milwaukee Brewers + American Family Insurance Field/Park/Stadium means nothing to that identity/tradition even with the name "Brewers".

[MrTPlush]

Here's an interview with some comments from an American Family executive. He mentions that they "don't want a name that's five or six words long".

 

https://www.tmj4.com/sports/baseball/milwaukee-brewers/american-family-insurance-responds-to-feedback-on-miller-park-name-change?fbclid=IwAR2gCzdE1J57gV42qnLLGlj2YYVomybOrGAXlpSRfYAbVFDDrdrDma7ftrM

 

Unfortunately “American Family Insurance Park” meets his criteria.

 

Insurance will not be in the name. It will end up American Family Park/Field. They seem to care about what the fans think and will look for input. So no way they put the full name in there like that as no one wants that.

[True Blue Brew Crew]

Looking forward to 15 years from now when the name changes from American Family Field to Northwestern Mutual Park and everybody laments that American Family Field is the perfect name and should never be changed.

[areacodes]

What goes a longer way to continue that identity? The team being called the Brewers that has been around for almost 50 years or a stadium being named for a corporate brewery that still has some ties to the community?

The irony in all of this is that you are taking a team named after that tradition and identity ("Brewers") and now removing the link to the name which even more closely is linked to that identity and tradition ("Miller"). Miller isn't a corporation, it's the link to that identity. Milwaukee Brewers + Miller Park = identity/tradition, Milwaukee Brewers + American Family Insurance Field/Park/Stadium means nothing to that identity/tradition even with the name "Brewers".

 

 

How so? Miller isn’t/wasn’t the only brewery that identified with Milwaukee and created this identity you are talking about. It might have been the biggest now but there we lots of others in the past. I’d like to believe the identity will continue even without the stadium they play in being named after a beer company. Heck, a big part of tradition at Wisconsin sporting events is tailgating and drinking and that won’t change with the name of the stadium.

[areacodes]

What goes a longer way to continue that identity? The team being called the Brewers that has been around for almost 50 years or a stadium being named for a corporate brewery that still has some ties to the community?

The irony in all of this is that you are taking a team named after that tradition and identity ("Brewers") and now removing the link to the name which even more closely is linked to that identity and tradition ("Miller"). Miller isn't a corporation, it's the link to that identity. Milwaukee Brewers + Miller Park = identity/tradition, Milwaukee Brewers + American Family Insurance Field/Park/Stadium means nothing to that identity/tradition even with the name "Brewers".

 

 

How so? Miller isn’t/wasn’t the only brewery that identified with Milwaukee and created this identity you are talking about. It might have been the biggest now but there we lots of others in the past. I’d like to believe the identity will continue even without the stadium they play in being named after a beer company. Heck, a big part of tradition at Wisconsin sporting events is tailgating and drinking and that won’t change with the name of the stadium.

[jerichoholicninja]

Everyday we hear about how big of a problem alcohol and drinking is in Wisconsin. Maybe Mark is trying to distance his organization from that. Yes, I understand as long as the team is called the Brewers that's impossible but just throwing it out there.

[trwi7]

My guess is their executives couldn't care less about the public backlash on this, though.

 

Nor should they. The backlash about this is so dumb.

[tigerbrew]

I always like the Dome name for covered stadiums and the Brewers have the unique baseball retractable fan roof which is the distinctive feature of the stadium.

 

There is the Superdome and Alamodome, I hope they rename Miller Park to the Brewerdome. The AmFam Brewerdome sounds good to me, people will simply call it the Brewerdome.

 

How about the Brewerfandome?

 

Sounds good to me!

[tigerbrew]

Looking forward to 15 years from now when the name changes from American Family Field to Northwestern Mutual Park and everybody laments that American Family Field is the perfect name and should never be changed.

 

15 years later, it might be named the Foxconn Field.

[MrTPlush]

Everyday we hear about how big of a problem alcohol and drinking is in Wisconsin. Maybe Mark is trying to distance his organization from that. Yes, I understand as long as the team is called the Brewers that's impossible but just throwing it out there.

Reducing the hundreds of drunk drivers after every game would be a solid start.

 

Nice theory, but no.

[TURBO]

Everyday we hear about how big of a problem alcohol and drinking is in Wisconsin. Maybe Mark is trying to distance his organization from that. Yes, I understand as long as the team is called the Brewers that's impossible but just throwing it out there.

Reducing the thousands of drunk drivers after every game would be a solid start.

 

Nice theory, but no.

 

Fixed it for you...

[pacopete4]

Or AmFam just paid more money.