Why not call it Burrito Stadium?

Business First

By James Fink

 

Someday in the not-too-distant future could Doug Flutie be completing passes to Eric Moulds at "Mighty Taco Stadium"?
If a series of tongue-in-cheek ads from the popular restaurant chain are to be believed, the stadium in Orchard Park that was formerly known as Rich Stadium and is currently nameless may soon carry the Mighty Taco moniker.
Yeah, right.
Mighty Taco, through its advertising agency, Paragon Advertising, routinely pokes fun at local issues.  They've done it in the past when Pilot Field's name was changed to North AmeriCare Park.
When the Rich Products Corp. naming rights contract expired July 31, there was speculation on what name would be attached to the home of the Buffalo Bills.  Team owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. has said he doesn't like corporate names on stadiums and venues, even though the naming rights to the stadium could bring the team as much as $1 million per year.
Mighty Taco and Paragon decided to seize the moment and play off that in their current ad campaign.
"We're just poking fun at an issue that does exist," said James Gillan, Paragon partner.
The fun isn't just limited to a series of radio ads.  During several of the Bills' home games, an airplane was hired to fly a banner promoting the notion of "Mighty Taco Stadium."
While the stadium naming rights issue has been the source of much debate, especially in light of the team's quest to sell $11 million worth of premium seats and luxury boxes by Dec. 1 to extend the lease another five years, neither Paragon nor Mighty Taco have heard any complaints.
As for the Bills, they realize the campaign is all in jest.  They're willing to play along… to a point.
"In all honesty, I haven't heard the ads," said Scott Berchtold, Bills' director of media relations.  "But as long as there's nothing degrading in there and they are not picking on a specific player, we're comfortable with it."

 


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