As FIFA Forces Stadiums to Change Names, One Embraces Its Bland New Brand

Irwin Kishner, co-chair of Herrick's Sports Law Group and co-chair of Herrick's Corporate Department, was quoted in The Washington Post in an article discussing the upcoming "debranding" at the World Cup requiring all World Cup host stadiums to remove references to corporations that are not FIFA sponsors. The article also addresses the unusual marketing opportunities that have arisen as a result of masking the brand names. 

Irwin noted that "the increase in sports' popularity has led to a boom in naming rights. Organizations such as FIFA and the IOC, in response, need to protect their own sponsors, who pay for exclusivity at big events such as the World Cup and Olympics"

"It's all dollars and cents," he said

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