knorthern knight
Registered User
Because this topic covers both Atlanta and KC (and potentially other cities), it should have its own thread. We're aware of how desparate Glendale is for the 45 nights a year that the Coyotes would (partly) fill Jobing.com arena, and all the parking revenue that would provide.
That may be the case out in the boonies of Glendale, but what about major cities. Do they want or need NHL teams in their arenas, or can their arenas make more money with something other than an NHL team those 45 evenings? This may be regarded as heresey on this board. But consider the possibility that maybe an arena in a large urban center can draw events to fill its winter schedule without relying on an NHL hockey team. I'm sure that icing up an entire hockey rink is NOT cheap, especially with rising energy prices. And in "the sunbelt", who do you think fans will pay $100 for a seat in the "nosebleed section"...
I stumbled over a couple of posts here that drove me to this idea. First, in the KC thread, in post http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=32973852&postcount=135
The article at the Sprintcenter.com website says, amongst other things...
A little help from "Mr. Google" turned up a similar article for the Phillips Arena at http://philipsarena.com/Content/view.aspx?CID=94f53b8b-860b-4721-852c-d90b195af67c and I quote...
http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=32964862&postcount=461
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/blogs/elli...eefe-has-coaching-chops-plus-30-thoughts.html
That may be the case out in the boonies of Glendale, but what about major cities. Do they want or need NHL teams in their arenas, or can their arenas make more money with something other than an NHL team those 45 evenings? This may be regarded as heresey on this board. But consider the possibility that maybe an arena in a large urban center can draw events to fill its winter schedule without relying on an NHL hockey team. I'm sure that icing up an entire hockey rink is NOT cheap, especially with rising energy prices. And in "the sunbelt", who do you think fans will pay $100 for a seat in the "nosebleed section"...
- Justin Beiber or Lady Gaga or Tom Petty
- or an NHL hockey game
I stumbled over a couple of posts here that drove me to this idea. First, in the KC thread, in post http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=32973852&postcount=135
I think AEG knew damn well what they are doing.
http://www.sprintcenter.com/news/detail/sprint_center_recognized_as_americas_third_busiest_arena
The Sprint Center was the nation's third busiest arena and sixth busiest arena in the world in 2010. AEG keeps the arena absolutely packed with events because they are a huge, international arena manager with tons of clout. They've been making money hand-over-fist with the Sprint Center without having a major tenant. This is a world-class arena and it's located in a thriving new downtown district. So you are completely off-base saying somehow AEG is not a competent arena manager. Del Biaggio was a con-man who swindled a lot of organizations for a long time, not the least of which were the Nashville Predators who actually did sell 27% of their team to him.
The problem now is frankly that they've been TOO competent with the Sprint Center. I'm quite cynical at this point but if they are making a killing without a major sports tenant (I don't count Arena football), where's their incentive to keep trying to get one for us?
The article at the Sprintcenter.com website says, amongst other things...
Sprint Center, Kansas City’s award winning arena, was one of three US concert venues listed among the Top 100 Worldwide Arenas -- trailing venues in New York City and Atlanta.
A little help from "Mr. Google" turned up a similar article for the Phillips Arena at http://philipsarena.com/Content/view.aspx?CID=94f53b8b-860b-4721-852c-d90b195af67c and I quote...
ATLANTA, July 15, 2010 – Atlanta’s Philips Arena has once again earned international acclaim as a top ranked entertainment venue according to industry-leading publication Pollstar magazine. For the first half of the 2010 calendar year, Philips Arena has been named as the No. 2 concert and events venue in the United States and the No. 5 concert and events venue in the world
http://hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=32964862&postcount=461
30 THOUGHTS
By Elliotte Friedman
4) Interesting: Word is The Raine Group, which is handling the sale of the Atlanta Thrashers for Atlanta Spirit LLC, is telling prospective buyers the team can be moved because having those dates available for other events (ie. concerts) is a better financial option than hockey. Neither a phone call nor a follow-up email were returned by 10 p.m. ET Monday.
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/blogs/elli...eefe-has-coaching-chops-plus-30-thoughts.html