Gophers partner with Independent Sports & Entertainment (ISE) to explore potential naming rights for Williams Arena.




Multi-year deal with a corp (1-2m a year) or one rich egomaniac cuts a check. Is Sanford still alive?
 

It’s “The Barn”. No one calls it Williams arena. This actually makes more sense than the 3M deal.

MN balances its athletic budget and this is a way to help keeping with doing that. Great time to do it with women’s and men’s momentum.
I call it Williams Arena but I don't care what any of our sporting venues are called. All I need to know if it is home game or not.
 



I will call it The Barn until the building is turned into rubble. It doesn’t matter what naming rights are sold and what remodel is done.
 





In Robbinsdale or Crystal, Minnesota?
Columbia Heights.

My lifetime.... Red Barn first. Then Tontos. Then Taco Bell.

Quick story about the Robbinsdale location. This was back around 1999 or 2000. I knew that the old Red Barn was now a Thai restaurant. While I was waiting for my to-go order, I casually walked into the back and asked if I could look at their electrical box. That's not a reasonable ask, but the guy said ok. When I opened it up, I saw the Red Barn logo and info... confirming what I thought. I then saw a naked child walking around the kitchen. I never told my wife about the naked kid as we ate our food. Never went back.
 
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Columbia Heights.

My lifetime.... Red Barn first. Then Tontos. Then Taco Bell.

Quick story about the Robbinsdale location. This was back around 1999 or 2000. I knew that the old Red Barn was now a Thai restaurant. While I was waiting for my to-go order, I casually walked into the back and asked if I could look at their electrical box. That's not a reasonable ask, but the guy said ok. When I opened it up, I saw the Red Barn logo and info... confirming what I thought. I then saw a naked child walking around the kitchen. I never told my wife about the naked kid as we ate our food. Never went back.
You guys didn't order any won ton soup did you?

BTW Crystal used to have a Wendy's in an old bank building. It was on West Broadway across from Target and next to the McDonald's. I think it closed recently.
 

You guys didn't order any won ton soup did you?

BTW Crystal used to have a Wendy's in an old bank building. It was on West Broadway across from Target and next to the McDonald's. I think it closed recently.
Always the curry.
I have lived close to Crystal for almost 30 years and still don't know that much about the area.
 





Always the curry.
I have lived close to Crystal for almost 30 years and still don't know that much about the area.
I grew up in Brooklyn Center, just west of Brookdale and went to Robbinsdale High School (R.I.P.). Crystal was part of my stomping grounds if only to travel back and forth.
 

Forget the name Williams. He wasn't a basketball coach to boot. Why cant we get 50M from Glen Taylor and name it the Glen Taylor Family Arena? The guy is 80+ and he cant take it with him so why not leave a lasting memory?
He has an athletic venue named after him at MSU - his alma mater.
 








Bring back the hamburger joint "Red Barn", and have them throw down a few million for naming rights. (who remembers Red Barn?)
Used to buy chicken at the Red Barn. I liked it.
We're talking about Williams Arena here...put some concerts in there: "Barn Dance This Saturday!!"
:). Last time somebody said I went dancing last night had to be in the '80's?
 


Used to buy chicken at the Red Barn. I liked it.

:). Last time somebody said I went dancing last night had to be in the '80's?
Late 70's, early 80's - I stumbled down there a few times from the Quad Dorms to order up a burger and fries late at night. (Red Barn on Oak Street)
 

Louisville plays in the KFC Yum Center.

Dilly Bar Arena
Cambria Granite Center
Land-O-Lakes Arena
 

Back door ploy for new arena. From Strib article today.

“Typically, the value of a naming rights deal may be impacted by factors beyond prestige and brand value, such as the ability to host concerts or other non-sporting events, along with the ability to engage students or involve business operations, Foster said.”
 

Back door ploy for new arena. From Strib article today.

“Typically, the value of a naming rights deal may be impacted by factors beyond prestige and brand value, such as the ability to host concerts or other non-sporting events, along with the ability to engage students or involve business operations, Foster said.”

This is the issue with Huntington Bank Stadium, it’s very seldomly used. They host a concert a year it seems, a random international friendly soccer game and Goldy’s 5K and not much else.

Go Gophers!!
 

This is the issue with Huntington Bank Stadium, it’s very seldomly used. They host a concert a year it seems, a random international friendly soccer game and Goldy’s 5K and not much else.

Go Gophers!!
This is due to agreements with neighborhoods around the u of m I believe. Much like the state fair.

USBank fills the market and holds more people.
 




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