Giants /Jets stadium associated with the Holocaust?

[ttr77]

Giants and Jets fans join uproar over stadium naming rights bid by firm with Holocaust ties

BY OREN YANIV
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Football fans and Jewish groups are outraged over the prospect of a new Giants and Jets stadium being named for German insurer Allianz because of its Nazi ties in World War II.

The company insured the Auschwitz death camp and had a chief executive serving in Hitler's cabinet. The company is on the short list of those vying to slap their name on the Meadowlands stadium in New Jersey via a lucrative sponsorship deal.

MYERS: JETS, GIANTS DEAL WITH THE DEVIL

The possibility of what some saw as a former Third Reich enabler getting its name on their ballpark has some Big Blue and Gang Green fans vowing boycott.

"I think it's terrible, but that's the mighty dollar," Giants fan Keith Hayes, 33, said of the name.

"It would be an insult," said Abe Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League. "It's putting their name in lights for generations to come."

Debate over Allianz is also heating up the Net and is the talk of sports radio.

A season-ticket holder who posted under the name xxvnyg80 in a Giants Internet forum said he wrote team owner John Mara, begging him to sack the idea.

Allianz would reportedly pay $20 million to $30 million per year for the naming rights of the $1.3 billion stadium, which is to open in 2010.

During the Holocaust, the same company refused to pay off life insurance stipends to Jews and sent their policies' proceeds to the Nazis instead, Holocaust historians have written.

Allianz, which employs 11,000 people in the U.S. and sponsors golf and racing events, has acknowledged its shameful past and has shelled out millions in restitution.

"Our record of trying to redress the evils of the Third Reich have been significant over the years," Peter Lefkin, senior vice president at Allianz of America, told the Daily News.

He would not comment on the pending naming deal, and officials for both teams referred questions to the New Meadowlands Stadium Corp., or NMSC.

The "NMSC has undertaken a rigorous due diligence effort," said spokeswoman Alice McGillion. "NMSC management and the teams' owners became sensitive to Allianz's history."

After weeks of vetting the company, ownership is convinced that Allianz has done enough to correct its past, said a source close to the negotiations.

Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum, secretary general of the North American Board of Rabbis, agreed that although survivors' sensibilities are understandable, a naming deal is legit.

"I have found Allianz to be receptive, to be sensitive and a friend of the Jewish people today," he said.

"We need not live in the past."

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2008/09/10/2008-09-10_giants_and_jets_fans_join_uproar_over_st.html

[The-Rock]

I'm sure that Allianz is still full of Nazis, and trying to wipe the jews off the face of the earth...what is wrong with people? It's a ****ing insurance company. This is like a jewish friend of mine in high school who swore he would never buy a volkswagon.

Whats the point? Americans were attacked by A6M Zeros piloted by the Japanese in WW2, the G4M "Betty", and a whole other slew of aircraft built by Mitsubishi and Kawasaki. Does that stop us from buying their products?

Porsche designed the Tiger tank series for Nazi Germany, BMW designed and built many of the aircraft in the Luftwaffe, Daimler-Benz created the Panther tank which was one of the best tanks of WW2. The Krupp group which is now Thyssen-Krupp is one of the largest steel manufacturers in the world today, they also built the bulk of Germany's tanks in WW2. Henry Ford had a few personal planes built for Adolf Hitler and was given awards by Hitler.

None of that has anything to do with the current attitudes of those companies, and it shouldn't have any factor in something like naming a stadium. Like Jay Rosenbaum said in that last quote, we need not live in the past.

[Ray Brown]

saw this talked about on PTI. Kornheiser, who is Jewish, said that some people are still around who refuse to buy german made cars or other products and said that it will probably never change for those people. He on the other said that he did not mind it because the company has acknowledged their wrongs and payed reperations.

my opinion is its just the name of a football stadium.

[Xameil]

hmm do those same people know BMW was also linked to the Nazis?

lets forget about the engines they made for the Nazi army, but what about the slave labor they used to build. They claim to have used about 25000 people from POW, and concentration camps. IF they were given a wage, all their money went right to the SS.

http://www.theawfultruth.com/salbmw/

[FLRedskins]

I just watched Real Sports( HBO)
They had a segment on the prices for they new stadium and most of the seats will be corporate owned and they days of a family going to see a game are probably gone
Also very gone story on new Yankee stadium having the same problem

[Hitman#21]

I couldnt disagree with you (The Rock) anymore i thinks its distgusting the Jets and Giants are even contemplating this idea..And how is this like your jewish friend who wouldnt buy a voltz, thats makes absolutley no sense. If you worked with the Nazis to destroy not only the jewish people but others people as your(allianz) an animal in my book. Killing or helping at murdering 6 million people isnt easy to forgive.

[Lloyds' Mongolian Beef]

" --Astroturf? You know who's responsible for that, don't you?! The Jews! Ah, the Jews hate grass. They always have, they always will."
-George Costanza a.k.a. O'brien

[Hitman#21]

" --Astroturf? You know who's responsible for that, don't you?! The Jews! Ah, the Jews hate grass. They always have, they always will."
-George Costanza a.k.a. O'brien

Seinfeld is the most brilliant show ever...how come there arent any shows like that anymore...

[Big Blue Joe]

I couldnt disagree with you (The Rock) anymore i thinks its distgusting the Jets and Giants are even contemplating this idea..And how is this like your jewish friend who wouldnt buy a voltz, thats makes absolutley no sense. If you worked with the Nazis to destroy not only the jewish people but others people as your(allianz) an animal in my book. Killing or helping at murdering 6 million people isnt easy to forgive.You're kidding right? Do you honestly believe that anyone who worked for the company at the end of WW2, 63 years ago, is still employed there? Why should people who more than likely hadn't even been conceived when Hitler died be held responsible for actions they had absolutely no part in?

You support the Redskins. An American company. And America massacred Native Americans (aka Redskins). Yet the organization you support profits off their name. America put people into concentration camps during WW2 as well. In addition, the country also had legalized slavery. If I go by your logic, you're an animal too. You should be ashamed of yourself.

[Hitman#21]

You're kidding right? Do you honestly believe that anyone who worked for the company at the end of WW2, 63 years ago, is still employed there? Why should people who more than likely hadn't even been conceived when Hitler died be held responsible for actions they had absolutely no part in?

You support the Redskins. An American company. And America massacred Native Americans (aka Redskins). Yet the organization you support profits off their name. America put people into concentration camps during WW2 as well. In addition, the country also had legalized slavery. If I go by your logic, you're an animal too. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Have you ever heard of people having there sons take over for them and i guareentee you that there sons and daughters think the same way they do.

Also im not talking about Native americans or slavery and i had no part in any murdering of any people. While the Nazis murdered atleast 6 million people. you have to understand your boundries before calling me a person youve never met an Animal. Also the Redskins are a football team and not an insurance company who gave a helping hand to the nazis! Slavery was a distgusting thing and shouldve never happened but that has no corralation to what were talking about at all.

[illone]

Seinfeld is the most brilliant show ever...how come there arent any shows like that anymore...




Curb Your Enthusiasm, check it out on hbo.com

Same writer as Seinfeld.

[zoony]

I just watched Real Sports( HBO)
They had a segment on the prices for they new stadium and most of the seats will be corporate owned and they days of a family going to see a game are probably gone
Also very gone story on new Yankee stadium having the same problem

That's the real sad thing about all these new stadiums.

They're being built for corporations, not for fans.

[bubba9497]

hmm do those same people know BMW was also linked to the Nazis?

lets forget about the engines they made for the Nazi army, but what about the slave labor they used to build. They claim to have used about 25000 people from POW, and concentration camps. IF they were given a wage, all their money went right to the SS.

http://www.theawfultruth.com/salbmw/

I thought it was Mercedes Benz & Porsche

[Hitman#21]

Curb Your Enthusiasm, check it out on hbo.com

Same writer as Seinfeld.

Thanks ...but im addicted to it Larry david is pure genious i have all the seasons on DVD everything that happens on Curb is so real and hillarious just like seinfeld.

[pointyfootball]

saw this talked about on PTI. Kornheiser, who is Jewish, said that some people are still around who refuse to buy german made cars or other products and said that it will probably never change for those people.

Not to get into political discussions, but I do my best to avoid foreign purchases, especially large items (cars), and rarely, if ever, go to WalMart for similiar reasons.

As to original post, people need to realize that there are many still sensitive to this, but that there is no reason not to move forward. My biggest issue with it is why can't we have an American company purchase the rights? What's wrong with "John Deere Stadium" or "A-Treat Coliseum"?

PF

[Xameil]

I thought it was Mercedes Benz & Porsche


Do you mean about the slave labor of the POWs and Concentration camps or the building of war vehicles? IDK how much they did.
I knowBMW...hence the symbol. It was explained to me once the symbol is to signify their building of aircraft. The BMW symbol is supposed to be the prop of an airplane.

If you click the link, it tells you they admitted to the slave labor to help build their war vehicles.

[bubba9497]

Do you mean about the slave labor of the POWs and Concentration camps or the building of war vehicles? IDK how much they did.
I knowBMW...hence the symbol. It was explained to me once the symbol is to signify their building of aircraft. The BMW symbol is supposed to be the prop of an airplane.

If you click the link, it tells you they admitted to the slave labor to help build their war vehicles.


I'm pretty sure Porsche was a key member in Hitler's ministry and the Nazi party, designing Hitler's Folks Wagon... (the VW Bug) and they used slave labor as well

[Xameil]

I'm pretty sure Porsche was a key member in Hitler's ministry and the Nazi party, designing Hitler's Folks Wagon... (the VW Bug) and they used slave labor as well

well yeah, the original article listed there were alot...my point was BMW was one of them. lol I never said BMW was the ONLY one ;).

edit:

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1095/did-krups-braun-and-mercedes-benz-make-nazi-concentration-camp-ovens

read that Bubba...Mercedes Benz is the worst...looks like they even made the ovens at Auschwitz. There are also some links around that say Porshe was an unwilling supporter...but who knows.

[Xameil]

lol in the interest in this thread...here have a look at what other companies were supporters...
http://www.cracked.com/article_15767_third-reich-fortune-500-five-popular-brands-nazis-gave-us.html

just to list a couple...
IBM, Bayer, Seimens...

[ttr77]

That's the real sad thing about all these new stadiums.

They're being built for corporations, not for fans.

The gamedeay experience in these new stadiums could be quite different than we're used to. And people complain about the 'wine and cheesers' at FedEx...I can't imagine a stadium full of corporate ass-kissers trying to show off for out of town clients. Might as well go to church.

[Lombardi's_kid_brother]

Luckily, there are very few Jews in New York. So, it shouldn't be that big of a deal.

[Xameil]

Luckily, there are very few Jews in New York. So, it shouldn't be that big of a deal.

lol...but knowing that list....how many do you think are really going to be up in arms over it?

I mean Mercedes made the freakin ovens....IBM made the system that kept track of the Jews knowing FULL well went the deal was.

I don't seem to see many Jews boycotting those

[LaRonLandryFan]

Luckily, there are very few Jews in New York. So, it shouldn't be that big of a deal.

I'm willing to bet half of the wealthy ones own a Benz. What hypocrits.

[Lombardi's_kid_brother]

Jewish people driving German cars
Jewish people driving German cars
Jewy people buying German cars
What the **** is that ****?

But maybe it's like Take Back the Night
Maybe it's like how bleeding hearts grow old and swing to the right
Maybe it's like when a f----- calls himself a f-----

Jewish people driving german cars
It's the opposite of FUBU...
But maybe it's Patty Herst siding with her kiddnappers
Maybe it's South African miner-killing diamond-wearing gangster rappers
Maybe it's like when black guys call each other ******s

[laurent]

I'm German, so I'm somewhat reluctant to respond to this, but I'd like to take a minute to put all of this into perspective as well.

When people discuss involvement of the likes of Bayer, BMW, VW, Allianz etc, they tend to gloss over the fact that none of these companies had much of a choice in doing what they did. They like to attribute the evil and menace of the NSDAP to the companies in very much the same fashion that they want to believe that an entire population was in on and endorsed the Nazi conspiracy to annihilate Jewish people.

When the government decrees that Jews are to list their assets, and then proceeds to claim those assets, including life insurances, in the name of the German people, what is an insurance like Allianz to do?

With 18 million German males (26% of the German population) it only made sense for the leaders of the Nazi party to assign slave labor to companies like BMW and Mercedes Benz so that they could meet the need for this incredible war machine the Germans had built up. To what point did those companies really have a choice in the face of labor scarcity and the demands of the party to produce.

[The-Rock]

I'm pretty sure Porsche was a key member in Hitler's ministry and the Nazi party, designing Hitler's Folks Wagon... (the VW Bug) and they used slave labor as well

Porsche designed the Chassis and engine for almost all the feared Tiger tanks, Krupp (as I said in my original post) which is now known as Thyssen-Krupp (one of the largest steel manufacturers in the world today) designed the main turret/gun.

Just as somebody else said, some other companies like IBM were involved. I believe that IBM made some sort of punch card numbering system that the Germans used to number prisoners to have them tattooed, and it was even repaired and maintained on site by either IBM or IBM trained employees.

I'm German, so I'm somewhat reluctant to respond to this, but I'd like to take a minute to put all of this into perspective as well.

When people discuss involvement of the likes of Bayer, BMW, VW, Allianz etc, they tend to gloss over the fact that none of these companies had much of a choice in doing what they did. They like to attribute the evil and menace of the NSDAP to the companies in very much the same fashion that they want to believe that an entire population was in on and endorsed the Nazi conspiracy to annihilate Jewish people.

When the government decrees that Jews are to list their assets, and then proceeds to claim those assets, including life insurances, in the name of the German people, what is an insurance like Allianz to do?

With 18 million German males (26% of the German population) it only made sense for the leaders of the Nazi party to assign slave labor to companies like BMW and Mercedes Benz so that they could meet the need for this incredible war machine the Germans had built up. To what point did those companies really have a choice in the face of labor scarcity and the demands of the party to produce.

Exactly, though some companies may have gotten in on it because of ideologies and profits it isn't something you can just label a company with forever. IBM didn't necessarily have those demands, they were founded in America, they wanted to make money. Hell Henry Ford was a huge supporter of the Nazi party while he was still in charge of Ford motors...he was awarded civic medals by Hitler and I personally had a tour of one of many custom private aircraft that Ford had built specially for Hitler.

It's insane to hold a grudge against a company for what happened in the 30's and 40's. They aren't the same people anymore. I believe it was Hitman who was disagreeing with my initial post so much by saying that he guesses that the owners of the companies follow in the ideas of their fathers or something...does he apply that to the German people as a whole? Does he think that Germany is full of closet Nazis?

[Hitman#21]

Luckily, there are very few Jews in New York. So, it shouldn't be that big of a deal.

I Hope your being sarcastic LOL, NYC is one of the most populated jewish cities in the world.

And to the Rock while not all of germany is full of people who support or supported Hitler but you would be supprise by the number of people who wish he was still the Leader there.

[Hitman#21]

There goes That!

NEWARK, N.J. (AP)—The New York Giants and New York Jets ended naming-rights talks with a German insurance company that once had ties to the Nazis.

Allianz (AHL’-ee-ahns) had been looking to buy naming rights to the stadium being built in northern New Jersey.

The move was criticized by Jewish groups and Holocaust survivors. The company says it has atoned for its history and should not be judged by its World War II record.

Allianz officials confirmed that talks have ended. Discussions are continuing with other potential partners for naming rights.

[Billy Bullocks]

Have you ever heard of people having there sons take over for them and i guareentee you that there sons and daughters think the same way they do.



You are so ignorant it is unbelievable. You should talk to a few German's who are the children of people who lived under Nazism before you spew your garbage.

[Hitman#21]

You are so ignorant it is unbelievable. You should talk to a few German's who are the children of people who lived under Nazism before you spew your garbage.
I have family members who went through the holocust and some relatives that are german, and for you to call me ignorant is trully hurtfull considering you have never met me.

[Big Blue Joe]

I have family members who went through the holocust and some relatives that are german, and for you to call me ignorant is trully hurtfull considering you have never met me.To be fair, you called other people you've never met Nazis because they had parents who worked at an insurance company.


When the government decrees that Jews are to list their assets, and then proceeds to claim those assets, including life insurances, in the name of the German people, what is an insurance like Allianz to do?
How about not bow down to pure evil? There were tons of individuals who didn't just standby and watch let alone help the Nazis. To actually steal the money of people who are being dragged off to be murdered is repugnant on so many levels.

[Hitman#21]

To be fair, you called other people you've never met Nazis because they had parents who worked at an insurance company.

How about not bow down to pure evil? There were tons of individuals who didn't just standby and watch let alone help the Nazis. To actually steal the money of people who are being dragged off to be murdered is repugnant on so many levels.

I never called them Nazis i just said what makes you think they werent raised with the same views as there parents?
I do agree with your second point though...and i think this thread has gone completly the wrong way and its going into a very sensative area in my mind.

[zoony]

Gang, this is a sensitive subject- no doubt- for lots of folks.

How about we proceed with kids gloves, on all sides? 'preciate it.

[bubba9497]

It's a moot point, Jets/Giants officials have canceled talks with the Allianz Insurance company

[Billy Bullocks]

I have family members who went through the holocust and some relatives that are german, and for you to call me ignorant is trully hurtfull considering you have never met me.

When you say you can "guarantee" that the children of people who worked for Allianz during the Nazi regime share their parents views (this is ASSUMING their parents shared the Nazi's views as well) is an ignorant statement. Especially because this is not the case.