This is the biggest issue IMO with the TC design. Other stadiums do have sections that cater to companies and all but they are not the entire lower bowl sidelines. I have no idea who thought that it would be a good idea to do it that way. For example Staples center has 3 levels of suites, 100, 200 and 300s. Between the 200s and 300s there are 3 levels of box suites as well. The sideline sections in the 200 level are called "Premier" with an exclusive entrance, concessions, concierge etc. Some of the box suites are actually sold to companies as well. If people in the PR sections want to go out and chat business there are plenty of areas to sit down and have conversations away from the general crowd. Also any ticket that is labeled as Courtside (which I think is also the first two rows that aren't actual courtside) has access to exclusive lounges in the tunnel as well. If there was a middle section in TC that would have been a better place to put the "club" section and it would mean more seats overall. Staples in general isn't the same loud crowd as other arenas but I've been there for playoff games before (both lakers and clippers) and people are there and people are loud. Regular season games of course not nearly as loud, but its the playoffs now. As someone who has traveled numerous times from CA to attend games in Houston and more recently driven down from DFW for games, its really disheartening to see. I try to attend as many games as I can, but for me the biggest expense usually isnt the ticket but the travel costs (even now in terms of time driving, gas, hotel etc) for a game. Granted all I care about is the Rockets winning, but seeing them win and having 14k plus rocking out is something amazing to be a part of. I've been holding out on going to any playoff games right now in hopes of being able to attend a WCF or Finals game and saving my money for that, but man its going to be really sad if the atmosphere doesnt change for game 5 and any other future home games this post season.
I did not unfortunately the first time I visited Houston was in 2007 during the Jazz playoff series. Couldn't afford it prior to that in college and just out of college.
This is it. I sit down there regularly. My CPA has golden nugget lounge access where the blackjack is. People go into the lounges before the game..during the game...at halftime...and they stay there for a while. They're designed to keep you there..spending money. It's by design, obviously.
Absolutely. And I'm not BLAMING anyone for that....at all. It's just the reality of the situation, though. It's not built to be an intimate arena where you're right on top of the action. It's more spread out...with tons of other things to do other than watch basketball. They cater to that specifically.
Those tickets are all sold. That's not the problem. The Rockets sold over 99% of their tickets this entire season...and all of the playoff games are sold out.
All I know is I'ma be real pissed if GS fans sell out half of our stadium in a few weeks. We gotta snatch up every seat to keep the trolls out. Fans of other teams should not have the option to heckle our Stars on our home court.
Nah man, opposite opinion here. I want everyone to roast our situation. Nobody give's a rat's behind about our voices. Our city/Rockets organization/fans/Tilman needs to be embarrassed and publicly shamed. Why would it change?
Astros don’t have lounges and casinos in their ballpark in the sections you regularly see when watching from home. Their club level isn’t in constant view during the game. Slight difference in the games as well. I can go to a baseball game and talk business while in my seat watching the game. It moves at a slower pace and they don’t drown your conversation out with constant music. Not as much need to hang out in a bar area to talk business at the game as there is at an NBA game.
