DECEMBER 3, 2001| HOUSTON, TEXAS • Despite the biggest bankruptcy filing in U-S history Enron Corporation made it known on this date in 2001 that it intended to keep the naming rights to the home of the Houston Astros – Enron Field.
This created a sticky situation for Astros ownership which wanted out of the deal with a company that in the span of a couple months became the poster child for corporate greed.
Despite the bankruptcy, Enron found a way to satisfy its financial obligations to keep its name on the ballpark (wonder how that sat with the 7,500 Enron employees who lost their jobs and pensions).
The Astros soon went to court pleading Enron’s collapse “tarnished the reputation of the Houston Astros.” The court agreed and forced Enron to accept a buyout. By opening day 2002 Enron Field became Astros Field, and by 2003 it was Minute Maid Park, also commonly referred to as the Juice Box.
Contributing sources:
Enron’s collapse, by David Cay Johnstone, New York Times, February 17, 2002
Astros stuck with Enron name, for now, by Darren Rovell ESPN.com
Houston Chronicle, December 4, 2001