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Bird's Nest Stadium: Your Corporate Logo Here

Beijing's National Stadium and Aquatics Center put post-game rights on market.

By Clay Dillow,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 15, 2008 8:38 AM CDT
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(Newser) – For a low, low price in the hundreds of millions of dollars, Beijing’s $500-million National Stadium, known as the “Bird’s Nest,” is peddling 30-year naming rights, courting six multinational corporations for logo privileges and other partnerships, the Wall Street Journal reports. The “Water Cube” Aquatics Center is also selling partnership rights, though only inside.

“I would call it the most valuable piece of real estate in the world right now,” one broker said. After being refit, the stadium will seat 80,000, host a soccer franchise and aim for 60 events per year. The Water Cube will become a water park and bar. While common elsewhere, says the Journal, sponsoring venues is a new idea in China, where most facilities are state-owned.

A performer tumbles outside the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, as a cleaning person sweeps the grounds prior to the opening ceremony for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
A performer tumbles outside the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, as a cleaning person sweeps the grounds prior to the opening ceremony for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.   (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Beijing's National Aquatics Center, known as the Water Cube, center, and the National Indoor Stadium, left, are seen behind the dragon-shaped Pangu Plaza.
Beijing's National Aquatics Center, known as the Water Cube, center, and the National Indoor Stadium, left, are seen behind the dragon-shaped Pangu Plaza.   (AP Photo/Greg Baker)
The National Aquatics Center, known as the Water Cube, foreground, and the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, are seen at the Olympic Green in Beijing Saturday Aug. 2, 2008.
The National Aquatics Center, known as the Water Cube, foreground, and the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, are seen at the Olympic Green in Beijing Saturday Aug. 2, 2008.   (AP Photo/Greg Baker)
Beijing's National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, left, and the National Aquatics Center, known as the Water Cube.
Beijing's National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, left, and the National Aquatics Center, known as the Water Cube.   (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Fireworks explode over the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics in Beijing, China Friday, Aug 8, 2008.
Fireworks explode over the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics in Beijing, China Friday, Aug 8, 2008.   (AP Photo/Color China Photo)
Fireworks explodes over the National Stadium or Bird's Nest during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympics in the National Stadium in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 8, 2008.
Fireworks explodes over the National Stadium or "Bird's Nest" during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympics in the National Stadium in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 8, 2008.   (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
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Track and field under way in 'Bird's Nest'
Financial Times (UK)

China's future takes flight from the 'Bird's Nest'
Telegraph (UK)

 
Beijing • 2008 Beijing Olympics • stadium • corporate sponsorship • Olympic Village • Birds Nest National Stadium

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