Australia's Got It Right

Surfed into some TV coverage of the Australian Open 2011 tennis tournament . Included pretty good shots of the Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park where the matches are being played. It 's named and prominently/permanently signed in honor of  "Rod Laver," Australian tennis icon from late '60's. Struck me when I saw it, how respectful and powerful branding of a site it was, versus the hodgepodge of transparently commercial name tags big bucks naming rights sponsors have slapped on U.S. sports venues. "Minute Maid Stadium" (Houston-MLB), "American Airlines Center"(Dallas - NBA) and Staples center"( Los Angeles -NBA), etc. NOTHING to do with the sport(s) being played inside. Realize venue upkeep has significant costs, but it's nice to see some venues that want to hew to individual competitive context, rather than sell, sell sell. I'll bet the added naming-rights income didn't go to reducing ticket prices!