The Owner Needs a New Building

[wicked]

Richfield Coliseum and the Coyotes’ arena in suburbia worked out so well, but I suppose the Braves’ success at their new ballpark changes some of that calculus.

 

[Shelbyville Manhattan]

The difference for the Braves compared with Richfield was that they went to a part of the area that was already quite well-developed. You hit the Perimeter and it's another 14 miles until Kennesaw and 18 miles until you hit Cherokee County.

As for the Coyotes' arena in Glendale, the team decided to build on the opposite side of the region from which most of their ticket-buyers lived. Build the arena in Scottsdale, and the team never moves. Fans will drive a long way to watch one football game every week or two; doing so for a 41-home-games-a-year sport is a different ask.

Ultimately, the infrequent nature of football games is what makes far-flung stadia possible. Arenas and baseball stadiums are usually best situated downtown or in an otherwise central location (e.g. where the Rays are now hoping to build their stadium, just across Dale Mabry Highway from Raymond James Stadium, which is a relatively centralized spot when factoring in Pinellas County). Football stadiums can be pretty much anywhere in a metropolitan area and it won't affect the drawing power.

Richfield Coliseum and the Coyotes’ arena in suburbia worked out so well, but I suppose the Braves’ success at their new ballpark changes some of that calculus.

 

[DanOregon]

Isn't this more about a real estate deal, giving the team equity in surrounding development?

 

[SixToe]

The difference for the Braves compared with Richfield was that they went to a part of the area that was already quite well-developed. You hit the Perimeter and it's another 14 miles until Kennesaw and 18 miles until you hit Cherokee County.

Any update on the rumored-discussed site for an NHL team arena and complex in Cherokee County?

 

[Inky_Wretch]

I am constantly amazed at how economic studies of stadium projects are routinely ignored.

 

[BitterYoungMatador2]

I don't know why Richfield is catching strays. From everything that I've gathered, the Cavs drew well there but the city of Cleveland/Cuyahoga County wanted to build a whole district at Gateway and not just a standalone ballpark for the Indians.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

Richfield Coliseum and the Coyotes’ arena in suburbia worked out so well, but I suppose the Braves’ success at their new ballpark changes some of that calculus.

The Braves' move was specifically to get the team playing where its ticket holders live. That's a lot closer for those folks, and avoid the economic disaster they were heading for.

 

[UPChip]

Isn't this more about a real estate deal, giving the team equity in surrounding development?

Ever since White Flight Field, yeah, I think the current money is in developing real estate around the park.

Another thing I didn't consider last night is that the Stars' practice facility is also in the suburbs, so apparently they'd be cutting that commute from 29 miles to less than six.

I didn't realize the Mavericks are also planning to move out of downtown. Having actually worked in the American Airlines Center, I'm kind of stunned it's on the high road to obsolescence. Less than 30 years old.

 

[HanSenSE]

Any update on the rumored-discussed site for an NHL team arena and complex in Cherokee County?

Does anyone really think the NHL is going to try a third team in the ATL?