28.5 cents per ounce

A sudsy touchdown: Houston Texans' beer prices the cheapest in the NFL —seriously

It may seem like the steep beer prices at Reliant Stadium cost an arm and a leg, but Houston Texans fans are actually getting some of the best beer deals in the NFL. Not that the NFL is known for beer price moderation, but still . . .

According to SaveOnBrew.com's NFL Stadium Beer Price Report, fans at Reliant paid 28.5 cents per ounce at games last season, translating to $6 for a 21-ounce brew.

Comparably, Atlanta Falcons enthusiasts pay 29 cents per ounce (or $7 total) for a 24-ounce bev at the Georgia Dome, whereas New York Giants and New York Jets fans pay 55 cents per ounce on an $8.75 beer at the New Meadowlands Stadium.

Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins supporters pay an absurd 58 cents per ounce for a 12-ounce beer, meaning pricier suds and twice as many trips to the bar.

When Texans linebacker Connor Barwin heard that Reliant was the cheapest, he tweeted "And the loudest" referring to Reliant Stadium's ever-increasing rep of having one of the noisiest stadiums in the NFL (beer never hurts in building that homefield advantage).

Reliant's beer prices remained the same between 2010 and 2011, but it remains to be seen what the stadium vendors will charge in 2012 — especially for local craft beers like Karbach and Saint Arnold, which typically run a premium anyway.

Thank goodness (and the City of Houston) for the Texans' strong tailgating scene — even if some of the rules are buzzkills, at least the drinks are cheap.

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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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