![]() “Rabid” is an oft-used but strictly apt adjective for these fans, many of whom drive from Wyoming, Montana and Kansas to attend games. For two years running downtown Denver has been converted to a dangerous mosh pit as Broncos fans gathered in response to the team’s Super Bowl victories. ![]() I doubt it.”Įven though a decision about the stadium’s new name is months away, columnists, radio talk show hosts and Denver Mayor Wellington Webb have weighed in on the issue, mostly decrying the commercialization of the modern world and arguing that the name Mile High should not be for sale.įans here generally get listened to, for good reason. More power to Denver if it can keep Mile High. “We are at the point where the tarpaulin that covers the field has logos on it. “The crucial thing to understand with the construction of any arena, is that everything is for sale, everything,” said Jeff Borden, associate editor at Crains Chicago Business. In truth, the business of slapping corporate names on sports stadiums is so common it stopped being a trend years ago. Tax revenue from a six-county area is financing about 75% of the construction cost, and the Broncos pony up the rest. That money would be used to pay off the construction debt for the public-private venture. The income from such rights could bring as much as $100 million, experts say. There’s more: The Metropolitan Football Stadium District Board-the regional authority charged with planning the $350-million stadium next to Mile High-has let it be known that it will be entertaining offers from corporations seeking naming rights. But the excitement here has been tempered by a standoff between fiscal policy and tradition: When Mile High Stadium is razed, the famous name will be buried with it. In most cities, the prospect of a state-of-the-art stadium is a joyous event. Mile High will be torn down when a new stadium is completed, in 2001. ![]() ![]() Broncomania has been further deflated by another impending and hurtful loss-of Mile High Stadium, the team’s beloved but shabby home since the Broncos were formed in 1960. Now-as the team struggles with an 0-3 record and recovers from the retirement of demigod quarterback John Elway-the Broncos are derisively referred to as the Donkeys. Rabid supporters of the two-time defending Super Bowl champions used to take pride in wearing their blue and orange game-day regalia and marching grandly into the home stadium wearing plastic horse heads. Being a Broncos fan isn’t the joy ride that it used to be. ![]()
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