Seattle Seahawks Fans: NFL's Qwest Field Being Renamed Not That Big of a Deal

Facebook is blowing up, and Twitter is trending today on telecommunications giant Qwest being bought out by CenturyLink.  Normally, this would pass by most people without a care, but not the faithful fans of the Seattle Seahawks.

Known as Seahawks Stadium for the 2002 and 2003 seasons, the plan since the June 1997 vote was to find the right partner, with the right amount of cash, to purchase the naming rights.  That was simply part of how the costs would be financed.

In June 2004, Paul Allen and First and Goal, Inc. completed negotiations with Qwest for naming rights.  Prior to that, Allen had footed the portion of the bill that was to be covered by the naming sponsor. 

Fans didn’t much like the change to Qwest Field.  After all, Seahawks Stadium reflected the team and had a great ring to it.  Now they were just another team that had sold out to corporate sponsorship.  However, the name started to settle in with the fan base until Qwest and the Seahawks became “linked.” 

Trepidation on the part of fans is understandable.  Fans have the Qwest Shake memories from the 2011 playoff victory over New Orleans.  The name is easy to say, and holds an identity for being a loud and difficult place for opposing teams. 

The same will eventually hold true for whatever name is finally adopted by Qwest’s new parent company.  Whether it becomes CenturyLink Stadium, Seahawks Stadium at CenturyLink Field or, perhaps, 12^th Man Stadium at CenturyLink field, fans will come up with some moniker that has a warm feel to it.

Unfortunately, calling it “The Link” might cause issues with Eagles fans.  They commonly shorten Lincoln Financial Field to “The Linc.”  But add the "C" from Century, and we are onto something!

Fans also need to remember the positives at play.  The money provided from the name sponsor helped build the stadium.  The $75 million paid by Qwest is a respectable percentage of the building costs.  Would fans prefer to be dodging ceiling tiles in the Kingdome? 

Or, worse yet, be in a position of watching the Los Angeles Blackhawks on television after Ken Behring moved the team?

Yes, there are far worse fates than CenturyLink Field.  Granted, a few Chicago Bears and 49ers">San Francisco 49ers' fans have taken shots at how bad the name will be, and how the Seahawks and the City of Seattle opted to sell out to corporate sponsorship instead of establishing some heritage. 

Then again, how many Seahawks fans would have any pride in calling Soldier Field or Candlestick Park their home?  Compared to Qwest/CenturyLink Field, those venues are laughable.