Not every city has a tradition like the Houston Rodeo to give a damn about. Houston does. Yes, they could have gotten a billion dollar stadium built, but they went in with the Rodeo as co-tenants to justify the expense politically. Why do you think the Rodeo holds such power over the Astrodome plans? They are heavily invested in Reliant Park/NRG Park and have put an end to several plans that the Texans have proposed because it doesn't serve its interests. Anyone who underestimates the Rodeo's influence and political power here is just not paying attention.
I'm not gonna argue that point with you. You're not in charge and neither am I. If you were, you might make that statemeent, but the Texans will not. They will work with the Rodeo in whatever they do, because they understand the situation. They always have. They always will. No one will be telling the rodeo what they must do. That much I promise you.
If the Texans needed to get a new stadium tomorrow, for whatever reason, they'd be on their own... and still likely get it done. Not sure I could say the same for the rodeo. One clearly needed the other a little more. Secondly, the retractable roof and nearly every major amenity was all Texans. Like what? The Texans have been directly responsible for nearly every big-money improvement/addition to NRG (in order to secure future SB's). Nobody is underestimating it... its just not going to beat the NFL's influence.
LOL... the NFL can, and will... if it comes to that. They'll work to find a better grass solution, that's for sure.
And like I said, it won't come to that. Because the Texans respect the Rodeo's place here, and you don't. They'll work together, watch and see.
And I'm not entirely sure the Texans could get another stadium built as easily as you think, for the record. They barely won the vote to get Minute Maid and Toyota Center built. More likely the voters would say... NRG Stadium is fine, make it work, and they'd have to work with the Rodeo, who have a long term lease, anyway. Your hardline scenario will never happen.
There's a difference between "respect" and "reliance". One is definitely more "reliant" on the other, when it comes to the improvements and overall stadium decisions. I respect the rodeos place here... they would have survived in a renovated Astrodome just fine... hell, there was no signs they were going to stop having the rodeo there until the NFL expansion team, and their new stadium plans started to come together.
There wouldn't be another taxpayer scenario... the Texans would have to front much, if not all, of the cost themselves (and they'd be able to afford it). It would never come to that though... it would be laughable that an NFL team would ever be in a position to ever defer to anybody else. Not sure what they've ever had to defer to from the rodeo as is.
In fact, another Houston owner once tried to hold up the city and county for a new stadium. How'd that work out? I think that team is in Tennessee now. Don't act like cities don't say no to the NFL. It happens all the time. Franchises move because they can't get a deal with the city. The NFL isn't untouchable. People ultimately decide what they want to pay for, and much more money is exchanged in Harris County for rodeo related events, whether we like it or not.
LOL... that was one of the biggest mistakes this city ever made. Cost them a lot more to get an NFL team back in the end. I'm glad it didn't come with that owner though... and the rodeo would never be in this venue without the Texans existing. They'd likely still be in the Astrodome. Also, the rodeo can't really demand to "move" anywhere as is.
Well they have to defer to them as 30 year tenants with a lease, so there's that. And again, the political power the rodeo wields here. But, I think we're just not gonna see eye to eye on this, clearly. I'm a football fan. I'm glad they're changing the field. But no one is booting anyone out of NRG stadium. No way I'm ever buying that, and the theoreticals are just speculation we'll never agree on. So it's fine. Moving on.
Right, they made that "mistake" because the public support for the team wasn't there. That's kinda the crux of my point.
No... the public support was there... it just wasn't there for that jackass of an owner who had just held the taxpayers hostage less than a decade before. This has been well-documented... and the evidence is there that this city is overwhelmingly capable of supporting an NFL team (even a mediocre to awful one) moreso than any other team in this city.
Also, as an avid rodeo goer, let me just say that NRG is not an ideal stadium for them. It's a football stadium. In that respect, the astrodome did seem like a better venue... Certainly was better for the concerts. A rodeo specific venue would probably add to the experience... Again, if it ever came to that.
To get back on topic and since I've been busy and haven't chimed in on the subject, I'm super pumped that they're getting rid of the grass for the season. I honestly don't think they'll be able to find a fix for the tray system, because it is the tray system itself that's the problem. Other than going the way of football pitches in Europe and installing a simulated sun light system that can lower to the fixed field, they won't find a viable way to keep a very good grass field. Hell, The 49ers are having issues with their field and it's an open air stadium. The field has had issues for the better part of a decade now, and as each season progresses the problems continue to worsen. If they're going to purchase and install an Astroturf field now, there is absolutely no point in continuing the use of grass. You've already coughed up the cash to upgrade the field. Dumping funds into fixing the grass field problems would be purposeless. You've already solved your problems, and have a system that is much cheaper to maintain and is far superior in quality and function. The turf will also look loads better than any natural grass field that has ever been used in NRG.
Actually their value went up, but the 49ers new stadium and Jets had increase revenue because of stadium changes (which also benefitted the Giants).
I've always heard the rodeo is the reason for the retractable roof. I've heard the statement below said many times. http://www.houstonchronicle.com/new...used-Texans-punt-on-opening-their-4723331.php
Well if it was open air, I'd literally never go, even if tickets were free. It's too damn hot in Houston for an open air stadium. Once you get used to domes, you can't go back to that open air garbage.
Most preseason games are at night then you have one or two of the 1st regular season games in hot September weather. Houstonians are spoiled with AC, can't argue that. Fans will sit in 80/90 weather in northern city's for baseball/football but not us rugged southerners.
This argument is weird. I specifically talked about the financial impact of the rodeo on the city. You can argue all you want about whatever you want, but empirical research exists that proved the rodeo is a huge financial success for Houston, far beyond any of the sports teams.
