Company Names On Metro Property? Councilman Says Possibilities Abound

Your ad here? “I highly doubt it,” Tygard says, “but at least this ordinance would give the possibility to begin the discussion of how we can start recouping and help the Parks department pay for maintenance and ongoing repairs for our buildings.” (Image credit Mayur Phadtare, Wikimedia)

Nashville could take a small step toward allowing companies to put their names on city property.  Tuesday night, the Metro Council is considering paving the way for sponsorships in city parks.

Councilman Charlie Tygard sees branding deals as a way to bolster the city’s finances. For example, Metro could collect money for a sign on a little league field for a team sponsor.

Tygard’s proposal would leave the details up to the Parks Board. He jokes the Board probably wouldn’t approve a neon sign on the Parthenon in Centennial Park.  But he’s open to broader possibilities, similar to naming rights on sports stadiums:

“So why shouldn’t we name the Municipal Auditorium and other facilities?  We’ve seen pictures of schools that are in the flight patterns of airports, and have advertising on the roof of a product to help offset school budget, so I think it’s an innovative idea.”

If Tygard’s bill passes, he says the Parks Board could have an approval process laid out by early next year.  Metro Council would have to sign off on any deal worth more than $25 thousand.