Speculation: Xcel Energy Center - Upgrades/Updates + Arena Experience

[mezcal]

So, the Xcel is obviously one of the newest and nicest arenas in the National Hockey League. It might be new by the standards of buildings, but it needs some updates.

I wouldn't say many updates, I would just say the scoreboard. It is small, old and outdated and really just needs to be replaced. So the fact of the matter is, the Wild/Xcel need a new scoreboard and display.

Xcel Energy Center:

A very new and nice Scoreboard, Tampa Bay Lightning (Tampa Bay Forum)

Arena Experience

The Wild's arena experience has really dulled down, although it may be good, it used to be the best. The Xcel Energy Center was voted the top arena experience I believe in 2008. They really need to update this, as well.

They need to bring the organ back, and make it have a more traditional old time hockey experience. This is what they are aiming for, right? Old Time Hockey? I want to see the organ come back and the organist sit back in his zamboni/organ thing. Get him out of the press box. Less music, more old-school organ.

Well that's really all I have to say at the time. Discuss.

Click to read more...

 

[WildFinn*]

Sounds good, can you make it happen to when i fly for my first Wild game?

 

[mezcal]

Sounds good, can you make it happen to when i fly for my first Wild game?

Me? I don't think so haha.

I not been a Wild game either, I live in California and I've watched them three times, most recently on March 1st against the Ducks. I live close to Anaheim.

Moving to Minnesota within the next couple of years, can't wait. I actually love cold weather and I hate California. Anyways, i'm just babbling. This isn't the thread for this.

Would be awesome if they made these updates.

 

[Billy Mays Here*]

They could start by upgrading the screens to HD already for ****'s sake.

 

[llamapalooza]

I gotta say the game production has really seemed cheap lately. I've been wondering if it's something Leipold cut in the budget to afford spending up to cap. I've just noticed a lot of things like:

- No Zamboni organ
- Less variety of music/less care in music selection
- Lower production quality on video packages
- More formulaic and packaged video content
- In particular the playoffs intro was super underwhelming compared to past years, when they really went all-out

 

[Jarick]

Agreed.

Xcel is not the shiny new arena it once was. It has aged fairly well, but it's 13 years old now. That's mid-life for a sports arena.

Large, HD scoreboards would go a LONG way towards improving things. Has to happen soon, this or next summer.

I also think a lot of the in-game production is kind of stale. That droning noise with the fake clapping to start the PP is old.

 

[BigT2002]

Last year was pathetic in-game experience. Needs to be bolstered

 

[NHL1674]

Thankfully those upgrades are closer to becoming reality.

Xcel Energy Facelift

 

[WildFinn*]

I didnt know that you could use public money into sports venues like that in US, i dont think there is much difference to European half socialist models..

It seems you have "temporary" tax in place, that is an American way to sell things to people i guess?

How much do you pay taxes in Minnesota? Council and federal?

 

[Jarick]

It's pretty common now for teams to get arenas and improvements on the taxpayer dime. They just threaten to move the team if they don't get what they want.

We have progressive taxes in the US, most people pay 15-30% in federal taxes, plus 5-8% for state taxes, plus social security and medicare taxes, I think for most people it's anywhere from 30-50% of their paycheck. Then there's a state sales tax of about 7% plus usually another 1-2% in local taxes in the metro.

 

[WildFinn*]

It's pretty common now for teams to get arenas and improvements on the taxpayer dime. They just threaten to move the team if they don't get what they want.

We have progressive taxes in the US, most people pay 15-30% in federal taxes, plus 5-8% for state taxes, plus social security and medicare taxes, I think for most people it's anywhere from 30-50% of their paycheck. Then there's a state sales tax of about 7% plus usually another 1-2% in local taxes in the metro.

This is in Minnesota?

For fun we compared lot of different things that affect your life with my friend to find the best place to live.

We found Wyoming the second best place to live after Switzerland, taxes where a big deal in that, but also if you like the nature there etc..

I cant see much difference living in Minnesota with that tax rate to living in Finland.

But there has to be some, the Finnish NHL players cant be in Finland for many months of the year as they are afraid of the taxes kicking in.

We have a bigger sales tax rate, depending on product 10-20%, that causes funny things like getting alcohol and tobacco from neighbouring countries.

You federal budget is crazy, i think of that every time when they take new steps to build the European federal state.

If i lived there i would be in the Tim Thomas camp.

 

[bozak911]

If i lived there i would be in the Tim Thomas camp.

It also depends a great deal on how much you make.

The bottom 47% of income earners pay a zero sum tax. Meaning, that they basically do not pay federal or state taxes. Property taxes are typically also returned, but the percentage there is smaller. Therefore, about the only tax the bottom 47% actually pay is sales tax, but even still, the EITC offsets a lot of that.

Once you get above that 47% threshold, the soaking commences. As your income grows, the more of a percentage Americans pay.

It is one messed up system.

My employer only matches 3% of my salary contribution to my 401k. Yet, I am putting in 7% because that contribution is pre-tax. By doing so, the money is essentially "all mine" for future use, but I keep my total outgoing tax at 39% of my income instead of 43%.

There are models that in theory are "fair" across the board, but there is no way to get any traction on those as a political issue. Why? When 47% currently do not pay into the system, but still benefit from the system, why would they vote someone in that would change that?

 

[Jaykay]

I still love the arena itself but I agree that the experience needs work. The music and video packages are pretty terrible.

 

[WildFinn*]

It also depends a great deal on how much you make.

The bottom 47% of income earners pay a zero sum tax. Meaning, that they basically do not pay federal or state taxes. Property taxes are typically also returned, but the percentage there is smaller. Therefore, about the only tax the bottom 47% actually pay is sales tax, but even still, the EITC offsets a lot of that.

Once you get above that 47% threshold, the soaking commences. As your income grows, the more of a percentage Americans pay.

It is one messed up system.

My employer only matches 3% of my salary contribution to my 401k. Yet, I am putting in 7% because that contribution is pre-tax. By doing so, the money is essentially "all mine" for future use, but I keep my total outgoing tax at 39% of my income instead of 43%.

There are models that in theory are "fair" across the board, but there is no way to get any traction on those as a political issue. Why? When 47% currently do not pay into the system, but still benefit from the system, why would they vote someone in that would change that?

Well it is worse here, top 20-30% actually pay in and rest use more services than they pay in.

Im "poor" compared to you as I make some 80k, I pay half of that in different taxes and I dont use ANY public services.

I personally dont care what others make, in Europe they actually make special taxes for those that have the biggest income.

I have property, a house and an apartment but i got deductions only from the first i bought.
I sold one property but that was one big battle with the taxes for the profit.
New taxes are popping like mushrooms but no cuts are being made.

Only good thing is that i only have 100k of loans to pay and the interest rates are down before the collapse.

Now i have a situation coming with inheritance tax, sucks to pay for things your family has worked with generations of hard work.

Have you ever looked at Wyoming?

 

[Paul Bunyan]

For me this being my first real season of it being a "home fan" I enjoyed the experience and I love the rink, but I haven't been going since the team started like my friends have since I wasn't in state.

It seemed back in the day they had plenty of cool things (including a live organist, would love that back) but I'll say from going to other rinks the X is unparallelled for the most part.

All my friends that have come in love it, the one thing that does need to get overhauled though (and this just isn't the X, this is a lot of our teams) is the food.

I don't eat or drink much at games as I go for the hockey, but I have friends that do, and the food is pretty poor as far as sports fare goes --- though I didn't get to try the hot dish nachos.

 

[bozak911]

I still love the arena itself but I agree that the experience needs work. The music and video packages are pretty terrible.

Back on topic...

The Amway Center (Solar Bears and Orlando Magic) have a BEAUTIFUL JumboTron...

 

[HobeyBroten]

Back on topic...

The Amway Center (Solar Bears and Orlando Magic) have a BEAUTIFUL JumboTron...

That looks pretty much like the one currently in the 'X' to me. Granted, scale of screens is difficult to compare.

 

[llamapalooza]

This is in Minnesota?

For fun we compared lot of different things that affect your life with my friend to find the best place to live.

We found Wyoming the second best place to live after Switzerland, taxes where a big deal in that, but also if you like the nature there etc..

I cant see much difference living in Minnesota with that tax rate to living in Finland.

But there has to be some, the Finnish NHL players cant be in Finland for many months of the year as they are afraid of the taxes kicking in.

We have a bigger sales tax rate, depending on product 10-20%, that causes funny things like getting alcohol and tobacco from neighbouring countries.

You federal budget is crazy, i think of that every time when they take new steps to build the European federal state.

If i lived there i would be in the Tim Thomas camp.

Leave it to someone who's never been to the US to think Wyoming is the best place to live.

 

[WildFinn*]

Leave it to someone who's never been to the US to think Wyoming is the best place to live.

Is there something wrong with the place?

 

[walloftvs]

Is there something wrong with the place?

If you don't mind solitude, it isn't a bad place. One thing people from Europe can't grasp is how huge the US is. Wyoming is a very large state with a tiny population. The state is literally nothing but empty space in most places.

 

[Jarick]

Wyoming is beautiful if you like nature. I'm not a nature guy and got extremely bored.

 

[WildFinn*]

If you don't mind solitude, it isn't a bad place. One thing people from Europe can't grasp is how huge the US is. Wyoming is a very large state with a tiny population. The state is literally nothing but empty space in most places.

Why would i not grasp that?

Not everyone needs urban hipster happening lifestyle to feel they are alive.

You can always travel to different places and come back home.

I like to fish, hunt and ride horses, call me crazy.

 

[Jarick]

Okay, let's bring this back on topic.

 

[llamapalooza]

Is there something wrong with the place?

It has the lowest population in the U.S. and the lowest population density except Alaska. So if you want to live there, you'd better be a loner, and you'd better be ready to give up every amenity of living near a city or even a minor population center. It's absolutely beautiful, especially around Teton park (which is totally better than Yellowstone btw), but there's absolutely nothing anywhere in the state. If you're in the southern half of the state then it'll be at least a few hours' drive each way to Denver or Salt Lake if you want to do anything––shop, see a concert, catch a game, eat halfway decent food, etc. (If you're in the northern half, you can't even make it to a city and back in one day.)

Edit: Sorry Jarick...didn't see your post while I was writing mine

 

[bozak911]

That looks pretty much like the one currently in the 'X' to me. Granted, scale of screens is difficult to compare.

It is about twice the size and in full HD LCD.

This should give you a better perspective: