Manly Immortal Bobby Fulton has taken time out to explain why selling the naming rights to Brookvale Oval will be financially very beneficial to the Sea Eagles, especially in revamping the tired old facility.
But Lottoland Oval hardly has the same ring to it as Brookvale, Manly’s home ground since they were elevated to NRL status in 1947. That’s 664 first grade games ago.
Lottoland? Rex Mossop must be turning in his grave.
But is it any better than say La La Land, or Disneyland?
You can bet your last dollar the Manly faithful will still reverently refer to their home ground as Brookie, and don’t be surprised if many media outlets will call Manly’s games at Brookvale.
Taking Bozo Fulton’s explanation further, why haven’t two senior Liberal politicians, both locals, in Tony Abbott and Mike Baird used their influence to find the necessaries to upgrade Brookvale?
Sorry, Lottoland.
What’s worse – Lottoland for Manly or 1300Smiles Stadium, named after a dental firm, for the Cowboys in Townsville?
Or spare a thought for Cronulla, winner of just one NRL premiership, but have suffered multiple name changes to their home ground – Caltex, Endeavour, Ronson, Shark Park, and Toyota Park – have I forgotten any?
It’s worse for the coming season with the mouthful of Southern Cross Group Stadium.
For the record there are other sponsored ground names worth mentioning.
Whataburger Field, the home of the Corpus Christi Hooks in Texas, a minor league baseball team.
Sleep Train Arena, a mattress company, the home ground of the Sacramento Kings in the NBA.
Or KFC Yum! Center, the home of the Louisville Cardinals basketball team
I never thought an iconic rugby ground like Ellis Park in Johannesburg would ever fall for the sponsorship naming rights, but it did from 2008 to 2012 as Coca Cola Park to the chagrin of the faithful.
Does that mean the likes of the MCG, SCG, and Twickenham could tread the same path?
As James Bond would say – never say never.
So far Donald Trump hasn’t made a comment about Lottoland which is strange as he’s made plenty of Twitter comments on other topics.
But Nick Xenophon has lashed out, saying it is “outrageous” to describe Brookvale Oval as Lottoland.
What a South Australian Senator would know about rugby league defies description.
“The Manly Sea Eagles and Lottoland are in a race to the bottom. This goes further than other brazen sponsorship deals just to rebadge an entire stadium,” is how the Senator sees it.
None of those words will worry Manly, while its worth repeating the Manly faithful will always call their home ground Brookie.
P Air
Guest
Well said Atawhai
Atawhai Drive
Roar Guru
Few if any. Where did I suggest or imply that any other clubs own their own ground? English comprehension 101.
bearfax
Guest
Clever Scott. Of course in reality dont be too sure of an Eel victory in the first game. In the 9s match between the teams both scored 3 tries, the Eels just grabbing the prize almost at the end of the match. That was with their best attacking weapons on the field. Manly didnt have DCE, Tom T, Jake T. or Green, to name a few. Could be a close thing
Scott Pryde
Expert
I've got dibs on blogging the first Manly home game of the year... "G'Day and welcome to Lottoland where the chance of a home team victory is one in a million!"
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
David, I'm sure the middle section of this article is ripped straight out of something I read in one of the Australian papers on line edition last week. Shouldn't you at least give credit to the journo who did your work when plagiarising like this?
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
It won't be 'The Moose' turning in his grave. It will be Jane Try. She donated the land to the council with an exclusive covenant that it couldn't be sold and must be used solely or the purpose of recreation. This is clearly going against her wishes. It shouldn't be used as billboard for a gambling entity that charges 8 times the normal price for a game of lotto in America. Fulton is a germ.
Officer59
Guest
Sounds like you're just jealous of Manly's success lolol...............
Officer59
Guest
Please enlighten us with your superior knowledge & let us know what teams own their own ground????
Cugel
Roar Rookie
I don't necessarily subscribe to the premise of the headline. Commercial media slavishly follow these pronouncements, then people mindlessly regurgitate whatever they hear on TV and radio.
qwetzen
Guest
"Manly Immortal Bobby Fulton has taken time out to explain why selling the naming rights to Brookvale Oval will be financially very beneficial to the Sea Eagles, especially in revamping the tired old facility." Sorry. Which "tired old facility" are you referring to? Brokkie or Bozo?
tyrone
Guest
the condition of the ground was not good enough to pass the "criteria" to compete in the NRL, which was overlooked when Souths got kicked out but Manly was allowed to stay. They play a few games on the central coast and then are allowed back to a sub standard ground and all if forgotten. The stadium should ceased being used at top level many years ago.
JGK
Roar Guru
Thanks. Thought it must have been something like that.
jamesb
Guest
I think the first paragraph of this article is an indication why Manly have gone for "Lottoland". If that funding goes towards Brookvale, then it's not a bad intention.
bearfax
Guest
A large percentage goes to the council, who apparently agreed to the arrangement because it means certain improvements to the ground etc
JGK
Roar Guru
Xenophon's complaint of course if that it is named after a gambling organisation and he has spent his career railing against gambling and the horrific impact it has on peoples' lives. I'm sure he couldn't care less about Brookvale itself. Interestingly, I would expect that Pauline Hanson (and frankly any Australian politician) wouldn't be too impressed either - Lottoland is a foreign organisation so all the revenue goes offshore. As to the bigger question, aren't Manly just tenants of the ground which is owned by the council? Why do they even have the right to rename it?
bearfax
Guest
Nah. We'll be fine with our lotto wins
Wascally Wabbit
Guest
Thanks ?
At work
Roar Rookie
Or the ridiculously long and geographically confusing Kogarah Oval; "University of Wollongong Jubilee Oval"
Steve L.
Guest
That name was used for some years in the early 70's by South Coast United, who I believe are still in the Wollongong League.
duecer
Guest
Can't really blame Manly, just trying to get the best deal. Wasn't the first and certainly won't be the last to use gambling to feather their nests. Doesn't really run off the tongue though