Petition to change Lil Caesars Arena to Gordie Howe Arena

[Datsyukian-Deke 722]

Mods please delete if this isn't allowed but saw an article on Fox Detroit that fans are trying to gain support to change the arena name to Gordie Howe Arena. Here is a link to the petition that was posted at #GordieHoweArena on Twitter. It already has a few thousand signatures and I figure with all the die hard fans on here we could easily double or triple that number.

http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/local-news/156966493-story

https://www.change.org/p/mike-ilitch-change-the-name-of-the-new-red-wings-arena-to-the-gordie-howe-arena

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Come up with about $100 million over the next 10 years and maybe they'll do it.

[Datsyukian-Deke 722]

Come up with about $100 million over the next 10 years and maybe they'll do it.

When I complain about the name for the next 30 years I want to at least say I did something to try to stop it. No matter how small it may have been. It's a long shot but weirder things have happened in this world.

[Aethernum 276]

Come up with about $100 million over the next 10 years and maybe they'll do it.

You're right. But boy, if there ever were a message from the hockey gods, this is it.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

This decision to me will also be a first glance at what type of owner Chris Illitch will become some day.

[twopups 19]

They've screwed the city of Detroit out of millions of dollars in concessions and parking over the years at Joe Louis Arena. Anyone that thinks it's not about the all mighty dollar with that family is living in a vacuum.

[VM1138 1,921]

As already pointed out, this is about money. Naming rights are huge and are a major part of business plans. They can't (even if they wanted to, probably) just change the name to a non-business name. They'd lose out on hundreds of millions of dollars. What they'll do is put a big statue of him out in front, name a street after him, or name a wing or part of the arena after him.

I think Toronto has something like a hall of legends, and I think the Wings need to do the same thing. Statues of the greats (not just Howe and Lindsay, which are the ones that are currently at the Joe, I think) ringed around the arena.

[amato 3,210]

I'd be happy with something like "Gordie Howe Arena at Little Caesars Colosseum." They get their corporate sponsorship, fans get "The Gordie" or "The Howe" to replace "The Joe" instead of just the pizza pizza arena arena. They can even keep the stupid logo on the roof

But agreed it's highly unlikely

[13dangledangle 960]

I agree it is about money, not much we can do. Hopefully he can be spun into it somehow

[plopster 136]

How hard would it be to call it little Caesars Howe Arena? A lot of college stadiums are named after more than one person, why can't "the Howe" have two names?

[Jacksoni 418]

I'm not delusional and know it's all about the money. With that said, I did sign the petition because in the best of worlds, that arena should have Gordie's name on it.

[Krayzie_Bone 58]

Kind of greasy to exploit his death this quick and bully the owner. I dont like it.

[Datsyukian-Deke 722]

Kind of greasy to exploit his death this quick and bully the owner. I dont like it.

The petition has been around since the day they announced the name of the new arena.

[plopster 136]

Its not greasy. whatever that means. We just want to remember him the right way. And it certainly isn't bullying. Its the fans letting the owners know what they want. After all, there would be no team if it weren't for the fans. People need to have a voice.

[kickazz 5,459]

Lol I don't think it's bullying. Don't be so oversensitive. They have a petition going and it's been going since LCA was first announced so keep calm lol. The petition will likely not create a dent and the Illitch family will stick to the name they have. Gordie's death just added more fuel to the petition that's all, his death didn't create this situation.

And believe me Mike Illitch doesn't feel bullied about this . He's probably on his boat right now with his family relaxing on this nice summer Sunday. I'm sure he respects the fan opinions but will stick to his decision.

Edited June 12, 2016 by kickazz

[sputman 1,268]

Has a petition ever worked?

[Datsyukian-Deke 722]

Has a petition ever worked?

Yea a group of guys petitioned Great Britain for freedom a couple hundred years ago and it was pretty successful. 😂

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Yea a group of guys petitioned Great Britain for freedom a couple hundred years ago and it was pretty successful.

Only after they kicked the Brits' teeth in, with the help of the French.

[luvmnger 125]

they should seriously take a step back and reconsider the naming. if the whole plaza/neighborhood is owned by them, they could easily work this together.

Little Caesars presents

Gordie Howe Arena

they could "present" each and every area named. lindsay marketplace, delvecchio shopping district, abel parking, sawchuck apartments...etc.

if you made your mark with pizza & hockey...well, put them together and work it out!

the money is there. every business card, every letterhead, every single piece of contract and notoriety gets the "Little Caesars presents" attached to it.

[plopster 136]

There's really no reason they couldn't do that. It sounds so much better and is a butt ton more respectable and applicable for the place they celebrate as Hockeytown USA

[sputman 1,268]

Yea a group of guys petitioned Great Britain for freedom a couple hundred years ago and it was pretty successful.

I like those odds.

[amato 3,210]

I like those odds.

Never tell me the odds

[StayClassy 38]

I'm not sure why these arenas have to be specifically "Little Caesars' Arena". Why can it not be some thing like "The Gordie Howe Arena" by Little Caesars' or something of that nature. You would think that kind of association would be great way for these sponsors to gain some more local respect and still get their name out.

Also someone on 97.1 mentioned the new "District Detroit" be called District 9. I liked that.

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

I'm not sure why these arenas have to be specifically "Little Caesars' Arena". Why can it not be some thing like "The Gordie Howe Arena" by Little Caesars' or something of that nature. You would think that kind of association would be great way for these sponsors to gain some more local respect and still get their name out.

Also someone on 97.1 mentioned the new "District Detroit" be called District 9. I liked that.

ummm...

[StayClassy 38]

Hahaha nice. I knew that sounded familiar.