FSU considering ‘modifications’ to stadium signs
Some fans not happy with billboard ads on the exterior of Doak Campbell.
Marlins at Cardinals, 8:15 p.m., FSN TALLAHASSEE — Judging by the heated reactions on social media and message boards, many Florida State fans are hot and bothered by at least one of the new billboard-style advertisements placed on the exterior of Doak Campbell Stadium.
As it turns out, those fans are not the only ones with concerns.
Through a university spokesman, FSU Athletics Director Stan Wilcox confirmed last week the Seminoles are reconsidering the look of advertisements on the back of the stadium’s new south end zone scoreboard.
“We are in the process of evaluating modifica-
tions that might be made to the recent graphics,” Wilcox said.
That should be very welcome news to fans who have been vocal about their frustration since the signs went up last week.
The image that seems to have raised the most ire is one promoting McDonald’s. It features the hamburger chain’s iconic golden arches logo and its “I’m loving it” slogan above a Florida State football helmet.
The signs overlook Langford Green and the Semi- noles’ iconic Unconquered statue.
One thread on a Warchant.com message board features more than 300 mostly critical comments about the signs. Thatthread has been viewed more than 10,000 times.
“This is like buying a Mercedes Benz and plastering it with bumper stickers. Tacky,” wrote one poster, who goes by JohnnieHolmes- Nole. “Are we really that desperate for money?? If so, maybe we need to carefully consider whether we can afford some of the stuff on the drawing board. Embar- rassing.”
FSU isn’t the first major college program to sell advertising space on the outside of its stadium. The large scoreboard at Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium, for example, features three separate advertisements, but all three are much smaller thanthe new ones at Doak.
Oklahoma, North Carolina State and other schools have them, as well.
This isn’t even Florida State’s first foray into billboard advertising at Doak Campbell.
When the Seminoles’ larger replay board was installed on the north side of the stadium last year, it featured external advertisements for a local car dealership and a credit union. But again, both of those logos were viewed a secondary to larger images — one of Jimbo Fisher kissing the 2013 national championship trophy and another of FSU cheerleaders running with “N-O-L-E-S” flags.
It is not yet known what types of changes will be made to the advertisements or if there is a desired time frame. After opening its season Sept. 2 against Alabama in Atlanta, FSU’s first home game is Sept. 9 against Louisiana-Monroe.