Naming sports arenas is as American as Wrigley Field. The idea of corporate sponsorship is a money grab that benefits the team by adding a revenue stream flush with cash.
These extra bits of money can either help pay down the debt of new building construction, or give the tenant more money in the sports team’s pockets. Sometimes, the name of the building fits like a glove.
For example, Ford Field in Detroit goes hand in hand with both the auto industry and the Ford family, who own the Detroit Lions.
Of course, one could also say that for the past 10 years, the Detroit Lions have performed as admirably as a Ford Festiva, but we will not go there…yet.
The city of Louisville has sold the naming rights to its new $238 million arena to Yum! Brands and the Cardinals new home will be called the KFC Yum! Center. 
Yum! Brands, responsible for artery clogging fast food chains such as KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut, is paying $13.5 million over a 10-year span for the right to have their name and logo slapped inside and outside of the building, including the roof.
Looking at the glass is half full side of things, the fact that the city was able to get a naming rights deal in this economy should be commended.
There are some stadiums worldwide that have been built over the past few years that have not had the naming rights sold, such as Cowboys Stadium and the Washington Nationals new ballpark.
Someone stepped to the plate and paid the cash for the right to see its logo on the shiny piece of steel.
On the other hand, the city essentially just named their new $238 million arena after a bucket of chicken, thus opening the floodgates of smack talk.
For example, a certain Louisville Cardinal men’s basketball coach won’t have to take his side action to an Italian restaurant to do his business. He can just take her to the concession stand (allegedly).
Well at the end of the day, Louisville has a new arena it should be proud of. Sure, one hopes there are plenty of restrooms for the tons of Nachos Bell Grandes and Double Downs that will be consumed inside its doors.
One would also hope that there is a huge air freshener system built in for the after effects of said consumed articles. But at least Louisville’s stadium isn’t named after a racist (allegedly).
