Renaming the Dome: Your Name in Lights!

It appears that the City of Tacoma is getting a little more creative in looking for funding sources around the Tacoma Dome - this week the City advertised for a contractor to develop, execute, and administer the process for naming rights, advertising sales, and sponsorships sales.

That’s right, you could soon be driving by the Weyerhauser Dome, Exit133 Dome, the State Farm Convention Center, or the [your name here] Dome.

In a May 15 presentation to the Government Performance and Finance Committee, Public Assembly Facilities Director, Kim Bedier suggested that the sale of naming rights could apply to one or both of Tacoma’s major public assembly facilities: the Tacoma Dome or the Convention Center. Bedier spoke of the sale of naming rights in the context of other advertising and sponsorship sales, mentioning “how crucial that is for our bottom line.” 

Questions of how much the naming rights and other advertising and sponsorship opportunities would go for (with and without retaining the current facility names) have been left for the contractor to determine. Likewise, identification of sponsors who might potentially or probably be interested in the opportunity is still an open question.

The City doesn’t sound like they’re messing around on this one, though - plans are for a contractor to “implement an aggressive sales plan,” to undertake negotiations, and to prepare agreements for naming rights and other advertising/sponsorship sales. 

An assessment of the Dome last year found the facilities there in need of a major overhaul to keep the space competitive - including upgrades to back of house facilities, seating, and entrances, and expanded parking - totaling more than $180 million. The idea of resurrecting the Warhol Flower design was even floated.

We seem to remember the City trying this route back in 2003. It didn’t go so well. Tacoma was very nearly home to the Comcast Dome. But that didn’t happen.

So is this the City selling out, or seeking out a smart business opportunity? What name do you want to see on the Dome?