After reading the latest info about the Rockets and the Sports Authority coming very close to terms with a financial package for Houston, I wonder what the deal were in other cities. 175 million for a new stadium? How much did Conseco cost? United Center? Staples Center? Etc., etc. And, which stadiums are considered to be the best (I've read Conseco is probably tops: not too big, not too small)? Are (or do) the Rose Garden and Key Arena hockey capable? Or do they pack the fans in closer? Just some ideas, questions to think about while this stadium thing is in the air. ------------------
from http://ballparks.com : 1999 American Airlines Arena Miami 20,000 $228M 1999 Conseco Fieldhouse Indiana 18,400 $175M 1999 Pepsi Center Colorado 19,309 $160M 1999 Phillips Arena Atlanta 20,000 $213M 1999 Staples Center Lakers, Clippers 20,000 $300M 1999 Air Canada Centre Toronto 21,000 $250M 1997 MCI Center Washington 20,674 $200M 1996 First Union Center Philadelphia 20,444 $210M 1995 Rose Garden Portland 21,538 $262M 1995 GM Place Vancouver 19,193 $160M 1995 FleetCenter Boston 18,624 $160M 1995 Key Arena Seattle 17,072 $120M (remodel) 1994 United Center Chicago 21,711 $175M 1994 Gund Arena Cleveland 20,562 $155M 1992 America West Arena Phoenix 19,023 $101M 1991 Delta Center Utah 19,911 $66M 1990 Target Center Minnesota 19,006 $104M ___________________ I hope this helps
More: The best basketball facilities are America West Arena, Key Arena, and Conseco Fieldhouse by far (no one else is even close). They were designed for the NBA not the NHL. Rose Garden and the MCI Center are good examples of NHL/NBA arenas.
Even More (sorry): Key Arena - no Rose Garden - yes The Save Our Rockets area is a great place to disscuss the arena situation.
I havent been to all the arenas out there, but sometimes arguments can be made for the older arenas. Certainly, IMHO, this is not the case for Compaq Center, but Madison Square Garden is one and, despite all its new and lavish amnetities, the old PAcer arena also had that nice feel to it. It is kinda like the whole Yankee Stadium of Fenway argument. But the Rockets do need one and I am sure at $175 million they will get their money worth and get a top of the line stadium---just look at Enron, Football stadium results so far!! ------------------ Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things!
Thanks Sky Pilot for the info. In yesterday's Wall Street Journal (Marketplace section) there was an article about new screens that are being put into the backs of headrests. The screens show live action, instant replays from up to 8 different camera angles, real time stats, scores from other games, and offer the fan the ability to order food without leaving his/her seat. The screens, made by ChoiceSeat, are only available in the expensive seats (in part, because they are expensive themselves) but are said to withstand beer spills and be, on the whole, quite durable. The screens can be found in Madison Square Garden, San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium, and Tampa's Tropicana Field. Hopefully, these will become commonplace in the future for everybody. ------------------
Interesting question. I know that there are a couple of media members researching the costs of arenas and how the deals break down for comparison purposes. I am dying to read it. ------------------ "No one gets out ALIVE!" SaveOurRockets.com
