Not that I have been to many of the newer arenas, but I would contend location can contribute to an arena's character. Atlanta's, for instance, was in a decent area in their downtown (but so are many others). However, when an arena is built out of the main downtown area or in the suburbs...well, I think it detracts from the authenticity of the sporting event (and another example: while I can't say how the experience at Cowboys Stadium is, I just think it's tacky to have a futuristic spaceship next to a classical-looking baseball park -- both practically in the middle of nowhere...but that's Dallas...and at least the AAC, from what I recall, was in a downtown-esque neighborhood...plus it kinda looks like an airline hangar which is a nice touch). I do want to bring up two other examples of arena character (which is certainly different, but part of, "fan experience"). The first is Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indy. I haven't been, but everyone who goes describes it as being a phenomenal place to watch a game. It's a basketball arena first -- not basketball + hockey -- allowing for better sights of and location to the action. It's more of a collegiate atmosphere in Indy (although big-time colleges are now trending toward mimicking the NBA corporate atmosphere). I suspect the Barclays Center in Brooklyn is built along these lines. Basketball-specific structures are a rarity in the NBA. The second example is one I'm surprised no one has mentioned: Miami. Have you seen the AAA? It's got character -- at least on the outside. It fits right in with the rest of Miami, right on the water. I can't think of another arena with a more glamorous location. The interior...well you know you're in a basketball arena, but I think they've done a pretty good job at making it "Miami" from the food to the music to the colors. When it comes down to the game action...not much that can be done to customize it...but it's not different than football or baseball in that regard. Do keep in mind that the nature of baseball (essentially being a marathon with hours of dead time) leads to the consumer being bored and generally having the desire to walk around. With basketball (and more so with football) the pace [theoretically] captivates the fan so much so that 1) it's more difficult to develop boredom 2) basketball is a shorter event than baseball and 3) if you walk around the arena during a game, you'll miss a greater percentage of the action. Bonus theory: 4) I wonder how revenue sharing across the sports affects this "homogenization"
