Group offered $500 million for Hawks/Philips Arena/Thrashers on May 20

[William Satterwhite]

I like how they are excited about replacing Thrashers games with WNBA games

Doesn't make much sense, don't the Dream already play a full slate of home games at Phillips? How can you replace something with something that's already there?

 

[GreenHornet]

seems that with the proliferation of other venues in Atlanta in recent years(been to all 3 and they are great venues for concerts), it might be harder than ASG thinks to fill the 43 extra nights.

http://www.ajc.com/business/philips-43-night-problem-989878.html

Hope every single one of those ****ers wind up living in boxes underneath expressway overpasses.

 

[GreenHornet]

Doesn't make much sense, don't the Dream already play a full slate of home games at Phillips? How can you replace something with something that's already there?

Not to mention the fact the WNBA's season runs primarily in the summer, during the NHL's offseason.

 

[knorthern knight]

ASG can probably break even with 20 or 25 big events versus 43 hockey games. Remember they don't have to freeze an ice surface, set up boards, and run a Zambone for non-hockey events. Do the "Ice Follies" ever tour Atlanta? If not, they might "salt the earth" and tear out the ice plant.

I also don't see how the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center (capacity: 2,750) can be considered as competition for Philips.

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

ASG can probably break even with 20 or 25 big events versus 43 hockey games. Remember they don't have to freeze an ice surface, set up boards, and run a Zambone for non-hockey events. Do the "Ice Follies" ever tour Atlanta? If not, they might "salt the earth" and tear out the ice plant.

Maybe so, but the article makes it sound like they're having trouble getting those 20 or 25 big events. It does mention that they want to attract figure skating (cringe) too, so I guess they still need the ice equipment.

I also don't see how the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center (capacity: 2,750) can be considered as competition for Philips.

It's right there in the article:

Michael Taormina, managing director of the Cobb Energy Center, said business is much less subject to the vagaries of which acts or events can be booked at a facility as it is to the size of a venue. Philips will attract those who need and can fill 18,000 seats while the Cobb Center, for instance, will be more appealing to a booking agent looking for the intimacy of 2,750 seats.

It's similar to the way a 15,000 seat arena can work in Winnipeg. Supply and demand.


One MAJOR thing this article fails to mention is the fact that there's a very good chance there won't be a NBA season next year. That's another 40 rodeo's they'll need to book.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I also don't see how the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center (capacity: 2,750) can be considered as competition for Philips.

Cobb is a very nice venue located right off the interstate, as compared to the deteriorating Philips Arena downtown. It's a different demographic.

For entertainers who are popular enough to play arenas but better-suited to a small venue (say, Michael Buble or Norah Jones) the idea of selling 3000 obscenely-priced tickets might be better than 12,000 cheaper tickets, once you factor in that they aren't exactly arena-rock acts to begin with. Same goes for kid's shows, touring choirs, etc.

Should be fun to see these chumps try to pull off 40 quality dates in this economy.

 

[rj]

I like how they are excited about replacing Thrashers games with WNBA games

The staff on the court are a lot cheaper than the staff on the ice?

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

The staff on the court are a lot cheaper than the staff on the ice?

With half the attendance. Add in TV deals and merchandise revenue and it doesn't make sense.

 

[Killion]

Y' know, if you or I had that kind of money and slapped it down & were rejected?. So. Whats the real deal here?.

 

[UnknownEric]

I hope ASG can book nothing but Rebecca Black concerts.

She only plays on Friday, Friday...

 

[Killion]

She only plays on Friday, Friday...

That would be the shortest concert in history, one song. Maybe she'd perform her unreleased follow-up, "LOL"?. Rather an appropriate title. Recorded at Flying Pig studios' in LA. Im sure Syd Barrett's rolling in his grave; David Gilmour apoplectic.

 

[knorthern knight]

One MAJOR thing this article fails to mention is the fact that there's a very good chance there won't be a NBA season next year. That's another 40 rodeo's they'll need to book.

Actually, that's a big argument against having any major-league sports tenants. Ever hear of "putting all your eggs in one basket"? Every few years you face the possibility of losing 45 winter dates. And you can't book replacement acts, because the strike/lockout might be settled on short notice.

Sprint Center in KC is the 3rd busiest venue in the US, right behind Philips Arena in Atlanta. Sprint Center does very well, thank you, without NBA or NHL tenants. The NHL and NBA better hope that their host arenas don't become too successful, or more teams may be kicked to the curb, just like the Atlanta Thrashers. (I think I'm drifting back on topic. Is that allowed here? )