It's been 15 long years since the Hartford Civic Center was an NHL arena. After the Hartford Whalers relocated to Raleigh, the Civic Center has since been named the XL Center. Hockey is still being played there. The Hartford Wolf Pack, an AHL franchise, have been playing at the XL Center since the Whalers vacancy. Recently, the franchise was renamed the Connecticut Whale in honor of Hartford's former NHL franchise.
There have been rumors of the Whalers returning to Hartford, more specifically when the Pittsburgh Penguins were looking for a new arena to be built. However, doing so would be a poor idea only because the Whalers would still be stuck geographically between the New York and Boston markets. Finding a home for the Whalers is the biggest concern as the XL Center has been considered inadequate by NHL standards. The arena holds slightly more than 15,000; the same size of the MTS Centre, the smallest NHL arena.
The XL Center's lease with the city of Hartford will end next year. The city feels that a new arena will help attract new acts and possibly another professional sports franchise. More events would be great towards increasing profits for the city via tourism. There is currently a proposal for renovations to the facility in excess of 105 million dollars, an effort to attract a struggling NHL franchise like the Phoenix Coyotes in coming years.
The former NHL arena was known for it's great sight lines. Though the franchise had much more success in the World Hockey Association, the city of Hartford was a very loyal fan base, averaging close to 14,000 people per game during some seasons. The Whalers never made a Stanley Cup appearance and had only one playoff series victory. The franchise's most heated rivals were the nearby Boston Bruins and the New York Rangers; two of the original six. Games between these two teams were often sell-outs due to the proximity to both cities.
Whalers owner Peter Karmanos grew upset with the lack of corporate sponsorship for the team as well as the lack of season ticket packages sold per season. However, Karmanos only offered packages for the full season (41 games). Connecticut's Governor at the time was adamant about not using public dollars to fund a new arena for the Whalers. Why would a new NHL arena make sense when the attendance for Whalers games has been below average? Karmanos was also insisting that he receive assistance for revenue losses until the new venue was completed.
The final NHL game in Hartford was played on April 13th, 1997 when the Whalers defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning. When and if the Whalers ever return to the city of Hartford depends solely upon the completion of an extensive renovation of the XL Center or a brand new arena. There are many other cities with the same plans for a new NHL arena including Seattle, Quebec, Hamilton and Las Vegas. That's plenty of competition for an NHL franchise. For now, let's pay tribute to the only professional franchise to ever occupy the state of Connecticut; the Whalers.
NHL Arenas
Friday, March 23, 2012
Forgotten NBA Arenas; General Motors Place
When you read the name 'General Motors Place', one would assume it as an NBA arena in Detroit, MI. But it isn't. Unlike most former NBA arenas, General Motors Place is still standing today but under a different name; Rogers Arena. Completed in 1995 at a cost of 160 million dollars, it would serve as home to the both the NHL's Canucks and the NBA's Grizzlies. General Motors had paid 18.5 million for the naming rights to the arena which has a capacity of nearly 19,000.
The Grizzlies only played six seasons in Vancouver. After failing to reach the NBA playoffs in all six seasons and having not one winning season, the attendance was extremely poor compared to most NBA arenas. When the lockout of 1999 hit, the Grizzlies were put into an even bigger hole and owner Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment sold the team to Memphis, TN.
From the get go, it had been apparent that hockey crazed Vancouver wasn't too crazy about the idea of professional basketball.The franchise was required to sell 12,500 season tickets prior to the beginning of 1995. With only 10,000 season tickets sold, a Canadian pharmacy chain gave the franchise a boost when they purchased the remaining 2,000 or so tickets. The Vancouver Canucks had also struggled to sell tickets upon their initial entrance into the league in 1989.
As previously stated, the 1999 lockout season was detrimental to the Grizzlies chances of staying in Vancouver. Averaging just over 13,000 fans per game, the Canadian dollar also began to weaken. In late 1999, the Grizzlies were sold for 200 million to Mr. Bill Laurie, owner of the NHL's St. Louis Blues. Laurie had the intentions of moving the Grizzlies to St. Louis but David Stern and other NBA officials did not approve of the move.
Rogers Arena was financed privately which meant no burdensome taxes on the Vancouver citizens. The arena is a beautiful venue with the North shore Mountains and the Strait of Georgia in the surrounding area. If you are hockey fan hoping to visit this former NBA arena, one can do so by visiting 800 Griffiths Ways in beautiful downtown Vancouver.
NBA Arenas
Rogers Arena Seat Reviews
The Grizzlies only played six seasons in Vancouver. After failing to reach the NBA playoffs in all six seasons and having not one winning season, the attendance was extremely poor compared to most NBA arenas. When the lockout of 1999 hit, the Grizzlies were put into an even bigger hole and owner Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment sold the team to Memphis, TN.
From the get go, it had been apparent that hockey crazed Vancouver wasn't too crazy about the idea of professional basketball.The franchise was required to sell 12,500 season tickets prior to the beginning of 1995. With only 10,000 season tickets sold, a Canadian pharmacy chain gave the franchise a boost when they purchased the remaining 2,000 or so tickets. The Vancouver Canucks had also struggled to sell tickets upon their initial entrance into the league in 1989.
As previously stated, the 1999 lockout season was detrimental to the Grizzlies chances of staying in Vancouver. Averaging just over 13,000 fans per game, the Canadian dollar also began to weaken. In late 1999, the Grizzlies were sold for 200 million to Mr. Bill Laurie, owner of the NHL's St. Louis Blues. Laurie had the intentions of moving the Grizzlies to St. Louis but David Stern and other NBA officials did not approve of the move.
Rogers Arena was financed privately which meant no burdensome taxes on the Vancouver citizens. The arena is a beautiful venue with the North shore Mountains and the Strait of Georgia in the surrounding area. If you are hockey fan hoping to visit this former NBA arena, one can do so by visiting 800 Griffiths Ways in beautiful downtown Vancouver.
NBA Arenas
Rogers Arena Seat Reviews
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Knick Fans Being Priced Out of Market
I saw it coming. Just look at this article I posted in March 2011 written by Tina Kassangana.
Carmelo The Cause For Rise in Knick Ticket Prices?
I can't say that Madison Square Garden didn't need a renovation but renovations should never come at the cost of the fans. In an effort to pay for it all, the Knicks raised ticket prices by more than 40% for the 2011-2012 season. The acquisition of Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire didn't help the cost of tickets either.
Fast forward to March of 2012 and the Knicks are struggling to sell tickets. And yes, even with the emergence of Jeremy Lin. The Knicks currently boast the highest average ticket price in the league; a staggering $117 per ticket compared to the league average of $48 per ticket.
How about the fan cost index for a Knicks game (the cost of taking a family of four to a game)? Try $600+, also twice the league average. Who has this kind of money in this economy?
If all of this Lin-Sanity really exists, which it does, you will see it in the attendance when the ticket prices drop. At the moment, fans should try visiting Newark if they are interested in seeing an NBA game live. Is there a remedy to all of this? The Madison Square Garden group could look for some type of other funding besides ticket sales to pay for the renovations. We at least know the renovations would never come out of the owner's pockets.
NBA Arenas
Carmelo The Cause For Rise in Knick Ticket Prices?
I can't say that Madison Square Garden didn't need a renovation but renovations should never come at the cost of the fans. In an effort to pay for it all, the Knicks raised ticket prices by more than 40% for the 2011-2012 season. The acquisition of Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire didn't help the cost of tickets either.
Fast forward to March of 2012 and the Knicks are struggling to sell tickets. And yes, even with the emergence of Jeremy Lin. The Knicks currently boast the highest average ticket price in the league; a staggering $117 per ticket compared to the league average of $48 per ticket.
How about the fan cost index for a Knicks game (the cost of taking a family of four to a game)? Try $600+, also twice the league average. Who has this kind of money in this economy?
If all of this Lin-Sanity really exists, which it does, you will see it in the attendance when the ticket prices drop. At the moment, fans should try visiting Newark if they are interested in seeing an NBA game live. Is there a remedy to all of this? The Madison Square Garden group could look for some type of other funding besides ticket sales to pay for the renovations. We at least know the renovations would never come out of the owner's pockets.
NBA Arenas
2012 Looks To Be A Big Year At Great American Ballpark
The Cincinnati Reds are a few years removed from a roster filled with big boppers like Adam Dunn, Ken Griffey and Josh Hamilton. In case you didn't already know, Great American Ballpark has the reputation for being a launching pad a.k.a. a nightmare for pitchers and a heaven for home run hitters. Walt Jocketty has addressed that issue by building a strong pitching core with the likes of Aroldis Chapman, Mike Leake, Johnny Cueto and Bronson Arroyo. Just this offseason, the ball club made deals for relief pitchers Ryan Madson, Mat Latos and Sean Marshall which gives the Reds the most lethal bullpen in the National League Central.
Also helping the cause of the Reds were the departures of not only Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols but also Cardinals manager Tony La Russa. He despised the Reds and was in my mind, Major League Baseball's best manager. Heck, the Cardinals won the World Series last year, right?
2012 will also be the last season that the Houston Astros will be in the National League Central. They begin play in the American League West during the 2013 season. No, they have not been competitive in recent years but they are one less team to compete with in case they do catch fire in the future. This move excites me. It will increase the likelihood of inter league play and gives the Texas Rangers and Anaheim Angels a little bit of a tougher road to the playoffs. The Astros will form an instant rivalry with the nearby Rangers-something baseball needs.
There is little excitement in terms of the Reds' schedule this season as compared to last season. The only American League teams making their way to Great American Ballpark are the Twins, Tigers and Indians. That may be just what this team needs this season; an easy schedule. Especially now that an extra Wildcard spot has been added to both leagues. Baseball season is almost here and I can't wait.
MLB Ballparks
Also helping the cause of the Reds were the departures of not only Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols but also Cardinals manager Tony La Russa. He despised the Reds and was in my mind, Major League Baseball's best manager. Heck, the Cardinals won the World Series last year, right?
2012 will also be the last season that the Houston Astros will be in the National League Central. They begin play in the American League West during the 2013 season. No, they have not been competitive in recent years but they are one less team to compete with in case they do catch fire in the future. This move excites me. It will increase the likelihood of inter league play and gives the Texas Rangers and Anaheim Angels a little bit of a tougher road to the playoffs. The Astros will form an instant rivalry with the nearby Rangers-something baseball needs.
There is little excitement in terms of the Reds' schedule this season as compared to last season. The only American League teams making their way to Great American Ballpark are the Twins, Tigers and Indians. That may be just what this team needs this season; an easy schedule. Especially now that an extra Wildcard spot has been added to both leagues. Baseball season is almost here and I can't wait.
MLB Ballparks
Will Yu Darvish Impact Rangers Ballpark Attendance?
The Texas Rangers have had an eventful offseason following their second World Series appearance in two years. The Angels swooped in and stole CJ Wilson, the ball club signed Yu Darvish and Josh Hamilton drank a few Bud Lights.
The Rangers were a surprise when they won the bidding war for Darvish at 51.7 million dollars. Will he generate increased ticket sales for the Rangers' Ballpark? In the short term, yes. He has generated some buzz but then again, he is an ace from overseas. Strasburg was a hot ticket when he was a rookie with the Nationals because he was a home grown American pitcher much like Clemens, Randy Johnson and David Wells. While the Internationalization of baseball has helped the sport's popularity, Dallas is still a town with the Cowboys on the brain.
Sellouts are tough to come by at the Rangers Ballpark due to it's huge capacity and it's blistering heat. The lack of a close proximity to downtown Dallas does not help either. I look for Darvish's effects on the team's record to be drastic but his effect on the attendance to be minimal.
MLB Ballparks
The Rangers were a surprise when they won the bidding war for Darvish at 51.7 million dollars. Will he generate increased ticket sales for the Rangers' Ballpark? In the short term, yes. He has generated some buzz but then again, he is an ace from overseas. Strasburg was a hot ticket when he was a rookie with the Nationals because he was a home grown American pitcher much like Clemens, Randy Johnson and David Wells. While the Internationalization of baseball has helped the sport's popularity, Dallas is still a town with the Cowboys on the brain.
Sellouts are tough to come by at the Rangers Ballpark due to it's huge capacity and it's blistering heat. The lack of a close proximity to downtown Dallas does not help either. I look for Darvish's effects on the team's record to be drastic but his effect on the attendance to be minimal.
MLB Ballparks
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