As Target was preparing to attach its name to the new Minnesota Twins’ ballpark, Star Tribune reporter, Jackie Crosby asked, “Is Target courting calamity?”

Good question. Arena-naming deals have a history of being harbingers of corporate failure.

As a marketing tactic, naming a stadium offers some advantages. The sponsor’s name appears on all signs, programs and tickets. National media coverage of games frequently includes the arena name. And the sponsor may be perceived as a good corporate citizen for underwriting the team.

Unfortunately, as with being featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, there seems to be a jinx.

Chris Isidore, senior writer at CNNMoney.com, tracks what he calls “the stadium sponsor curse.”  He suggests that naming-rights deals often predict bankruptcy or, at a minimum, plunging stock prices.

Consider these major-league sponsorship disasters:

• CMGI Field (now Gillette Stadium), Foxboro, MA
  Teams: Patriots, Revolution
• Air Canada Centre, Toronto
  Teams: Maple Leafs, Raptors
• Enron Field (now Minute Maid Park), Houston
  Teams: Astros
• The National Car Rental Center (now BankAtlantic Center), Sunrise, Florida
  Teams: Panthers
• PSINet Stadium (now M&T Stadium), Baltimore
  Teams: Ravens
• United Center, Chicago
  Teams: Bulls, Blackhawks
• Adelphia Coliseum (now LP Field), Nashville
  Teams: Titans, Tigers (NCAA)
• Trans World Dome (now Edward Jones Dome), Saint Louis
  Teams: Rams
• CitiField, Flushing, New York
  Teams: Mets
• MCI Center (now Verizon Center), Washington, DC
  Teams: Capitals, Wizards, Mystics (WNBA), Hoyas (NCAA)
• Pro Player Stadium (now Sun Life Stadium), Miami
  Teams: Dolphins, Marlins, Hurricanes (NCAA)
• Wachovia Center, Philadelphia
  Teams: 76ers, Flyers

Watch out, Target!