Bernie, we have a problem.

Austin City Council slams the brakes on Formula One plan, delays crucial vote

Bernie Ecclestone

Austin City Council members Thursday threw sand in the eyes of Formula One lobbyist Richard Suttle, postponing a crucial vote to endorse a United States Grand Prix in the Texas capital city.

Suttle, who was handpicked by State Comptroller Susan Combs to sway City Hall, told the council that unless they voted today to approve a contract that sometimes seemed like it had been ordered from LegalZoom.com, Austin might not get a race because of strict funding deadlines.

In what played out as a total debacle, Austin city lawyers sweated in front of the entire racing planet — with thousands of fans watching live online — and struggled to answer repeated questions from council members about the contract they were asking those members to endorse. That contract would bring F1 racing back to America.

Only Austin's mayor, Lee Leffingwell, seemed confident that the deal was without faults, but his peers left him in the cold, voting 6-1 to actually create a contract before they vote on it.

Austin Formula One fans — who showed up in force with pressed polo shirts and shiny handbags — are now likely creating clever combinations of four-letter words behind the wheel of their Escalades.

Why?

Because Thursday was Council Member Randi Shade's last day on the job before vocal F1 critic Kathie Tovo, who defeated Shade recently in a mudslinging bloodbath, takes her seat. The election shifted the power base to the half of city council that is skeptical of the whole thing and creates a real possibility that Austin city council will kill the F1 race, because city council must endorse the state's plan to hand $25 million over to F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, in order to hold the race at the new track already being built out by the airport, starting in 2012.

A lawsuit was filed on Wednesday in another attempt to stop that $25 million from being paid.

The Austin City Council will now hear the Formula One topic on June 29.

Formula One's creating a roar in Austin even before the track is built.

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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.”

houston astros daikin park business