 Lincoln
Financial Field
Philadelphia, PA
Some fans call it The Linc,
but whatever people call it, all fans agree that Lincoln Financial
Field is a vast improvement over Veterans Stadium. For three
decades, dating back to 1971, the Eagles shared the multipurpose
Veterans Stadium with the Philadelphia Phillies (MLB). In the 1990s the Eagles began to
want a new stadium
for several reasons. Veterans Stadium was considered one of the worst venues in
the league, in part because it was known as having the worst turf
in football. In 1993, Eagles owner, Norman Braman, wanted to
build a new stadium similar to Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo.
Braman sold the team to Jeffrey Lurie, who continued the quest for
a new stadium in Philadelphia. For over five years, the Eagles
struggled to gain financial support for a stadium. In February
1999 the State of Pennsylvania approved funding, and in December
2000 the City of Philadelphia and the Eagles agreed on a deal to
construct a stadium. Construction adjacent to Veterans Stadium on
a new stadium began in April 2001. In
June 2002, Lincoln Financial Group, a financial services firm that
has its headquarters in downtown Philadelphia, agreed to pay
$139.6 million for the naming rights.
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