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February 10, 2007
Brooklynite Wants Jackie Robinson's Name On Arena
Hardbeatnews reports that one Arthur Piccolo of Brooklyn suggests a different name for the proposed Barclay's arena, and is mounting an email campaign to public officials.
"Having been born, raised and living in Brooklyn I believe the new sports arena at Atlantic Yards offers a unique opportunity to finally honor Brooklyn's greatest son Jackie Robinson as he deserves to be. April 15, 1947, is a milestone in American history,” stated Piccolo in his letter to the officials. “The day Jackie Robinson stepped on the field and integrated Baseball but much more the beginning of the integration of all sports. Time Magazine and many others list Jackie Robinson one of the 100 Greatest Americans. He is by most standards the most important American athlete who has ever lived. Robinson played his entire career with the Brooklyn Dodgers as well as living in Brooklyn until his death.""Many elected officials and other Brooklynites are opposed to Bruce Ratner selling the name rights to the arena to Barclay's Bank and pocketing $400 Million in the process. Atlantic Yards will make a very wealthy Bruce Ratner even far richer without pawning our birthright by selling the name of what will become Brooklyn's first and the finest indoor arena for sports, entertainment events, conferences and conventions,” he added. “The best way to counter the Barclay's proposal is to counter it with a far far better name The Jackie Robinson Arena. Brooklyn honoring Jackie Robinson and his legacy in the finest way imaginable. I hope you agree."
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Although your heart is in the right place, Arthur, your time would be better spent raising $401 million dollars. Even then you might be surprised to learn they won't take your money.
Posted by amy at February 10, 2007 1:27 PM