Corporate Partners

The commercialization of sports is nothing new. You have to go pretty far back to find a hockey game on ESPN classic that doesn’t have rink board advertising and there isn’t a sports facility built today that doesn’t have the name of a corporation plastered across it’s placard. While you often hear people complaining that it’s taking away from the game I honestly don’t mind. Would it really make a difference to me if the St. Louis Blues play in the Scottrade Center or the St. Louis Arena? Go with the Scottrade Center and take the money.

The AJHL announced Wednesday new corporate partners for the 2008 Showcase Weekend. Last year marked the first annual Showcase Weekend and was a fantastic event for players, fans and most importantly scouts. The only downside was the Pontiacs didn’t play very well dropping both their games. The event is obviously growing and with the addition of corporate sponsors will only be better this year.

I must say though, as a radio announcer, I’m not impressed with who the sponsors are;

The 2008 Crescent Point Energy Trust and TriStar Oil & Gas AJHL Showcase Weekend

And I’m the guy who doesn’t mind corporate naming rights. My issues though are strictly personal. I mean, who wants to have to say “Welcome to the 2008 Crescent Point Energy Trust and TriStar Oil & Gas AJHL Showcase Weekend” for three straight days not to mention in the weeks leading up to the event.

In all seriousness though, it’s great to see companies wanting to associate themselves with the terrific product the AJHL is offering. This is just one more sign the league is showing growth as a development league for hockey players as well as corporate entity itself.

To Crescent Point and TriStar, welcome to the league, glad to have you and I will be happy to give the plugs you deserve. In the mean time though how about an abbreviation?

The C-PET and TOG AJHL Showcase Weekend?