Ever since the Pittsburgh Steelers' home had its name changed from Heinz Field to Acrisure Stadium, fans across the league criticized it. Some fans will even refuse to acknowledge what it is called now. The overall hatred goes beyond Steeler Nation, as people prefer to support local businesses over large insurance companies from another state. In fact, there was some rejoicing when one of the big ketchup bottles came back to the stadium, as Heinz will still have some level of partnership with the Steelers and their home base.
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Jason Kelce celebrates after the Philadelphia Eagles' victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
On a recent episode of New Heights, former All-Pro center Jason Kelce talked about stadium naming rights as a whole. They brought up Acrisure, and Kelce admitted that he is also avoiding the new name of the stadium.
"When it first comes out, I'm sticking to it," admitted Kelce. "I'm over the corporate name and renaming. It's over, it's Heinz Field. I don't give a f--k who pays for it... They had the ketchup bottle going down. What are we talking about?"
Heinz Field is not the first or the last stadium to go through a name change that upsets fans. The NFL isn't even the only sport to have this issue. It's just infuriating to have a building that resonates with the fans and its city suddenly turn around and put some random, unknown corporate name for a few extra bucks.
Even as a guy who grew up in the middle of Ohio and played his entire career in the NFC, Kelce can't stand the idea of the Steelers playing in any building other than Heinz Field. The oversized ketchup bottles on the stadium meant more to the city than many people realize. It was so perfect, and it fit Pittsburgh so well. That's why the team had to at least bring one of them back. You can't take Pittsburgh out of the facility or the fans, no matter how hard you try.
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Heinz Field ketchup bottles back when the stadium was named Heinz Field
Steelers Fans Share This Issue With A Division Rival
For the longest time, the Cincinnati Bengals' home was named Paul Brown Stadium, which was for the co-founder of them and the Cleveland Browns. That name stuck around for the longest time, as the legendary coach was seemingly always a part of this franchise, even after he left this Earth.
However, Mike Brown decided that a change was necessary: likely for money, since he had to pay Joe Burrow's exorbitant contract, and many others are expecting massive raises soon. Because of that, he also made a deal and renamed the building to Paycor Stadium. The Bengals better keep all their star players around, or else the name change would certainly not be worth it.
Even in baseball, this is a problem. Miller Park was the perfect name for the Milwaukee Brewers. The team named after the local economy had a stadium that matched it, along with a "home run slide" that went directly into a beer stein. Everything made sense with it. It was the perfect marriage.
However, that is no longer the case. Miller Park is now known as American Family Field. Once again, the heart and soul of the city was replaced by an insurance group that numerous fans didn't even know existed before the name. Also like Acrisure, many fans across MLB refuse to call it by its new name.
Benjamin B. Braun / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Najee Harris high fives fans after a big home win.
Obviously, this is a sports-wide issue, as opposed to just an issue with a singular team. Some stadiums have stuck with their local name for a long time, like The Superdome, or even Fenway Park and Busch Stadium in baseball. Imagine how fans of those teams would react if they ever even considered changing the name, even if the Superdome has a new sponsor every so often.
What do you think about Kelce's rant about Acrisure Stadium, as well as how other teams have the same exact issue? Let us know in the comments.
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