Ideas for Citi Field events

A guest post from Tim:

Today, New Yankee Stadium will host a football game.  The TV audience will likely be treated to grainy footage of Alan Ameche, Sam Huff and Knute Rockne.  I am sure, that at multiple points, announcers will erroneously state that, “this is the first time Yankee Stadium has hosted a bowl game since 1962” (A comment that would only be accurate if they played this game in the rubble across the street).

From keeping their name on the building, to staging fights and football games, to their continuing effort to celebrate the history that never actually happened in this building, the Yankees have done everything imaginable to reinforce the public belief that their new stadium is a world-class venue every bit as famous as the old one.

I understand the Mets aren’t the Yankees.  Through the years, our favorite team has had the lesser history, the lesser uniform, and the lesser Matsui.  However, since 2008, they haven’t had the lesser ballpark.  Yet through inactivity, the Mets have willingly and unnecessarily taken their facility disadvantage with them across the parking lot in Flushing.

This was the time to start fresh and get creative with a building as fine as any in the city or region.  Here are couple things I’d love to see them try:

• · Convince two Big East Schools to play their annual football game at Citi Field: Syracuse, UConn & Rutgers are the obvious candidates.  A regular, neutral-site game between any two of the above schools, would draw fans from across the tri-state area, cultivate rivalry, and could develop into a significant annual event.  Plus, I think Citi Field would look cool with each side of the field decked out in opposing team colors. (A NYC-take on the Jacksonville Cocktail Party).

• · Host the first UFC event in New York: At some point, Mixed Martial Arts will finally be sanctioned by the New York state athletic commission.  When this finally happens, the first UFC event held in New York will likely be the biggest event they have ever staged.  Cultivate a relationship with Dana White & the UFC now, so that Citi Field is first in line to host this historic event as soon as it’s legal.

• · Host a World Cup Qualifier: No sports event carries more global relevance than the World Cup.  In an effort to gain a significant home field advantage, US Soccer has hosted their World Cup qualifier against Mexico in cold, northern cities such as Chicago and Columbus during the winter.  Why not Queens?  Imagine a flag-adorned big apple rising up from behind the wall as team USA scores a goal.

• · Host the NHL Winter Classic: I know this is easier said than done.  There are many venues trying to host this game.  Unfortunately, for many of the reasons listed above, Citi Field is perceived as a lower-profile facility than “Yankee Stadium”.  It doesn’t have to be.

Let “Yankee Stadium” host boxing matches & football games between faded gridiron powers of the past.  Citi Field can own the future.  With a new focus on some key non-baseball events, the Mets can raise the profile of both their brand and their home.  What do you think?

Great ideas.  You are so right about the Yankees out-hustling the new buildings.  I know my Yankees friend Mr. Sunshine actually thinks the place across the street (thanks Steve Somers) is the real deal.   He’s at the Pinstripe Bowl right now!  The Yankees could screen a game of Madden at he’d go if Hal told him to.

The ballpark argument was valid from about 1976 until 2009.   The Mets have a new stadium and their own TV network and also play in New York.  They shouldn’t be at a disadvantage.

However, what we’ve seen since October whether it be Sandy or the surveys, it seems the Mets have decided to work on their brand.  Winning hides lots of sins (winning in 2009 sure soothed over that whole knockdown thing), but not having a clownfest in Queens will be a big start.   It was only 20 years ago when this was Mets-town.  A generation was lost, but the next generation doesn’t need to be.