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Jeter's Name Won't Go on Boston Arena

Associated Press
Published | Updated

BOSTON – Wait 'till next year, Jeter (search). A New York Yankees fan whose $2,325 bid won an eBay (search) auction giving him the one-day naming rights to the FleetCenter in Boston wanted to call it the "Derek Jeter Center," after the Yankee shortstop and captain.

But instead, Manhattan lawyer Kerry Konrad agreed Friday to call it the "Jimmy Fund Center," after a Boston friend and Red Sox fan donated an additional $6,275 to the charitable effort.

Boston real estate developer Jerry Rappaport Jr. offered to trump his buddy's bid. The total of $8,600 is in recognition of 86 years between Boston's World Series victories. The Jimmy Fund, one of the world's largest cancer charities, supports the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. It has been the official Red Sox charity since 1953.

Konrad and Rappaport, both Harvard alums, are scheduled to be at the "Jimmy Fund Center" on Tuesday to present their donation to the charity.

Konrad's original proposal was rejected by FleetCenter (search) president and CEO Richard Krezwick. Arena officials have reserved the right to approve or reject any winning bid.

"All names have to be rated 'G'. We determined that Derek Jeter Center is an obscene and vulgar use of the English language in Boston," Krezwick joked.

Mike Andrews, chairman of the Jimmy Fund and former Red Sox infielder, said in a statement that the Jimmy Fund "is a charity that transcends the biggest rivalry in sports, which is fitting as cancer affects everyone."

Yankees owner George Steinbrenner and manager Joe Torre have contributed to the Jimmy Fund in the past.

The FleetCenter is home to the Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins. The name became obsolete after Bank of America acquired FleetBoston Financial last year and the Charlotte, N.C., banking giant opted not to retain the naming rights.

While the arena's owner, Delaware North Cos., searches for a new long-term partner, it has been offering one-day naming rights on eBay and donating the proceeds to charity. Past winners have included an online casino and a California man who named it for his wife as a Valentine's Day present. The names are posted on signs around the arena and on the arena's Web site.