German insurance and financial services giant Allianz is in negotiations with the New York Giants and Jets to purchase the naming rights to the new Meadowlands stadium that is scheduled to open in 2010. But, while naming deals are old hat these days, the teams are facing a bit of a moral dilemma in deciding whether to plaster the name of a company that was involved in insuring Nazi concentration camps on the front of their new digs.

It’s an issue that should at least be raised anywhere, but is particularly touchy in New York, which contains the largest Jewish community in the world outside of Israel. While Allianz has certainly made attempts to atone for its past transgressions (which included refusing to pay out life insurance policies to Jews and redirecting the money to Nazis), this might not be the best PR decision:

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The Chicago Cubs want the Wrigley family to start paying for the naming rights to the Friendly Confines.

(A rare sighting - the Cubs winning)

Michael Sneed of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES chews on news that the NL club is looking for the gum giant to pony up for the name that’s been on 1060 W. Addison for over 80 years.

During last weekend’s Cubs Convention, team chairman Crane Kenney commented, “In my perfect world, the Wrigley Co. would step up and start paying for what they’ve been getting for free all these years.”

The naming-rights question comes up as the Tribune Company gets ready to sell off the team.

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2008 NEW YORK JETS HAVE OFFICIALLY BEEN GROUNDED: Don’t sleep on the New York Jets. If you thought that a disappointing season on the field has put a damper on the Mean Green, you would be wrong, sir.

Don Muret of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL has BREAKING NEWS(!) today that will surely thrill Jets fans, reporting that “Atlantic Health’s 12-year naming rights deal for the Jets’ new $75M practice facility is worth ‘north of $25M’“.But while the club basks in the glow of that lucrative deal, there is serious trouble brewing behind the scenes for the esteemed NFL team.

No, we’re not talking about the Jets putrid 1-8 record. More importantly, NEWSDAY reports the team still doesn’t have a permit that will allow club owner Woody Johnson to land his helicopter at the team’s training complex. And you know what that means: The 2008 New York Jets have officially been grounded.On the bright side, at least the Jets have their priorities straight. Which also explains why there is no link to the NFL standings on their official website. Go ahead, try to find it.