Big Event City

Does Houston even want to host the Olympics? USOC's sudden Texas love could be fleeting

All four of Texas’ major markets — Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio — are potentially in contention to be the United States' official bid city for host of the 2024 Olympics.

The cities were encouraged to consider submitting a bid by the United States Olympic Committee— along with a smattering of other metropolitan areas that include Los Angeles, Chicago, Nashville and Boston — in a letter sent out to the respective cities’ mayors:

Our objective in this process is to identify a partner city that can work with us to present a compelling bid to the [International Olympic Committee] and that has the right alignment of political, business and community leadership. We are seeking a partner that understands the value of the Olympic Games and the legacy that can be created not only for their community, but for our country.

Thirty five cities are in the running to become the official United States bid city, but for a city to win the bid, it has to meet a host of criteria, namely demonstrating the ability to accommodate the massive influx of people. The brass tacks:

45,000 hotel rooms
An Olympic Village that sleeps 16,500 and has a 5,000-person dining hall
Operations space for more than 15,000 media and broadcasters
An international airport that can handle thousands of international travelers per day
Public transportation service to venues
Roadway closures to allow exclusive use for Games-related transportation
A workforce of up to 200,000

Houston has hosted a Super Bowl and the city is in contention to host the NFL's big game again in 2017. Houston hosted the Final Four in 2011 and will be the host city again in 2016. The city is also coming off a successful NBA All-Star Weekend and has expressed a desire to host another Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

Officials say it is too early to determine if Houston will attempt to put together an Olympic bid. Houston was one of four semifinalist to be the U.S. bid city in 2012, losing out to New York. Of course, London ended up getting those games.

The U.S. has hosted the Olympics eight times, the most recent being the winter games in 2002 in Salt Lake City. The International Olympics Committee will choose the official host city for the 2024 Games in 2017.

Four Texas cities are in the running to host the Olympics in 2024.

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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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