Jeremy Lin & J.J. Watt Bond

Jeremy Lin breaks bread with an NFL superstar: Milwaukee meeting turns into a Houston sports summit

Some of the biggest superstars in Houston sports met in Milwaukee for a dinner that shows why many athletes love to play in the Bayou City.

Jeremy Lin, Chandler Parsons and Omri Casspi of Houston Rockets and J.J. Watt and Brooks Reed of the Houston Texans got together at a sushi restaurant in Milwaukee Friday night. With the Rockets in town to play the hapless Bucks and Watt back in his home state training (and playing some ice golf) with his buddy Reed, the groups made a point of getting together.

This cross sport buddying up is something that's one of the hallmarks of Houston's professional sports scene.

J.J. Watt loves to spread the love to Houston's other sports teams. He regularly wears Astros gear, whether it's new style or old school Craig Biggio.

Athlete after athlete has noted how Houston often feels like biggest small town in America to them rather than an imposing, impersonal mammoth city. Much of this view centers on how athletes from different pro sports intermingle in H-Town, often making it all seem like one giant team rather than the divided fiefdoms that categorize many cities' pro sports scenes.

Few athletes embrace this unique Houston trend with more passion than Watt.

The Texans star loves to spread the love to Houston's other sports teams. He regularly wears Houston Astros gear, whether it's new style or old school Craig Biggio. Heck, he threw out the first pitch at the Astros home opener last year (just a little 85 MPH fastball). He sits in the front row for Houston Dynamo games. He makes the Toyota Center rounds for the Rockets.

If it's a Houston sports, J.J. Watt is all in. Even if it's just a nice dinner.

"Didn't know sushi was so good in Wisconsin," Parsons tweeted about the meet-up.

There's no word on who picked up the check at this mega sports summit. Just the idea of Lin — one of the most recognizable athletes on the planet — and Watt — unquestionably now the biggest single star in all of Houston sports (sorry James Harden) — comparing notes is quite the image.

Whatever was said sure didn't hurt.

Lin put up 18 points and four assists in only 27 minutes the next night against the Bucks as the Rockets won their fifth straight. J.J. Watt surely approved.

It was a good trip for Team Houston.

Whether J.J. Watt is back home in Wisconsin or playing pitcher, he always brings the Houton love.

Photo by Michelle Watson CultureMapSnap

Whether J.J. Watt is back home in Wisconsin or playing pitcher, he always brings the Houton love.

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chill out

Houston Astros ballpark gets cool new name for the next 15 years

Courtesy of the Houston Astros

The Astros' stadium will have a new name in 2025.

The Houston Astros are about to have the coolest ballpark in Major League Baseball. The team announced on Monday, November 18 that its has reached a naming rights agreement HVAC manufacturer Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc.

Beginning on January 1, 2025, the stadium will be known as Daikin Park (die-kin). Scheduled to run through the 2039 season, the new name replaces Minute Maid Park, which has been the stadium’s name since 2002. It opened in 1999 as Enron Field.

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Astros fans online are already calling the new stadium “The Ice Box,” replacing its informal “The Juice Box” moniker. That name feels likely to stick.

Japan-based Daikin Industries is a leading manufacturer of HVAC systems. It sells air conditioning units and other products under brand names such as Daikin, Goodman, Amana® and Quietflex. Critically, it operates Daikin Texas Technology Park in nearby Waller, which is the largest HVAC manufacturing facility in North America. The company employs approximately 10,000 people in Greater Houston, according to a release.

“We are excited to be partnering with Daikin for our ballpark’s naming rights,” Astros owner Jim said. “Daikin is an international company that proudly calls the Greater Houston area its North American home. The Houston Astros and Daikin share the same values, a commitment to excellence and a desire to give back to our local community. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this ballpark in 2025, I am proud to have Daikin alongside us to create even more special memories for our fans now and in the future.”

The Astros will use the revenue for new stadium amenities and other upgrades. It will also continue the team’s various community initiatives. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. the Houston Chronicle notes that naming rights deals may be worth anywhere from $3.5 million per year (T-Mobile park in Seattle) to $11 million per year for the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field.

The team’s first game in Daikin Park will take place on Monday, March 24, which it plays an exhibition against its Triple-A affiliate, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. It will open the regular season on Thursday, March 27 against the New York Mets.

“Daikin fit all of the criteria we set out to find in a naming rights partner,” Astros senior vice president Matt Brand added. “Their name and reputation fit our iconic downtown Houston home, and their values mesh perfectly with those of the Astros. We are grateful to partner with the entire Daikin team and to help them succeed in their business goals. Daikin Park will be a special place for our fans for many years to come.”

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