Potential new arena location

[eva unit zero 271]

That doesn't mean that a 35,000-seat arena is realistic. If the new arena is built I wouldn't put more than 22,000 seats in it. Maybe enough to just eclipse Montreal, but that's it.

I never said it was. But throwing out a ridiculously understated attendance figures, and then bringing up a comparison to Comerica, was stretching pretty far.

Why not just say '35,000 would be too big for everyone to see well.'

22,000 to 24,000 sounds about right.

[poxer 0]

A new arena is a plus! That would be sweet. JLA is cluttered. Not enough leg room!

[BlakChamber 8]

Another article from the Detroit News had another longer article today about the potential new site.

DETROIT -- The Ilitch family, which controls a billion-dollar empire of pizza, sports teams and entertainment in downtown Detroit, is fast approaching a deadline on whether to build a hockey arena or renovate the Joe Louis Arena, the city-owned venue whose lease with the Ilitches expires in 2009.

Speculation about the family's plans was stoked Wednesday when the Ilitches' Olympia Development secured state funding to raze a vacant, dilapidated building smack dab in the area long rumored to be the preferred site of the arena -- a cluster of blocks west of the Fox Theatre complex, the Woodward Avenue headquarters for Ilitch Holdings Inc.

The empty building at 138 W. Columbia is surrounded by blocks of Ilitch-owned parking lots and several structures. It's a half-block away from the Detroit Life Building, which the Ilitches intend to restore into high-end residential units. A few blocks away is the Grand Army of the Republic building, which the family plans to restore. Across Woodward from the Fox Theatre is Comerica Park, home of the Ilitch-owned Detroit Tigers.

An arena near the Fox would add a major dimension to a burgeoning sports and entertainment district largely created by the Ilitches.

And, get ready for a corporate name. Anyone who thought it wasn't going to happen was just deluding themselves anyway.

The Wings could expect to bring in at least $10 million in additional revenue each year with a new facility from naming rights and luxury boxes alone.

[Packer487 3]

The least they can do for the new arena is bust out the troughs, for old time's sake. Maybe just once a month, "Joe Remembrance Day."

Seriously, let's get a move-on.

There is really nothing better than a trough at a sporting venue. Line out the door and you can still be in and out in under 5 minutes. They may be slightly **** (NTTAWWT) and the possibility of splashback may be high, but at least you don't miss any of the game!

Actually Michigan Stadium has the best system. Giant wall (obviously with a ledge enclosing it), with a pipe running along the entire thing spraying water down the wall into the drains. Pick a spot on the wall and let it fly. I've never waited more than 2 minutes. It's a wonderful thing.

Personally my plan for the new arena is to just copy the XCel Center. That thing is gorgeous.

-Tim

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

There is really nothing better than a trough at a sporting venue. Line out the door and you can still be in and out in under 5 minutes. They may be slightly **** (NTTAWWT) and the possibility of splashback may be high, but at least you don't miss any of the game!

Actually Michigan Stadium has the best system. Giant wall (obviously with a ledge enclosing it), with a pipe running along the entire thing spraying water down the wall into the drains. Pick a spot on the wall and let it fly. I've never waited more than 2 minutes. It's a wonderful thing.

Personally my plan for the new arena is to just copy the XCel Center. That thing is gorgeous.

-Tim

They should definitely keep the troughs! it's a piece of Joe Louis history.

And it really tests your stagefright.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

They should revoke all season ticket holders and start fresh. Limit the number of corporate buyers and give fans a better shot. That would get rid of some of the empty seats. Give them to people who want to use them.

30k isn't out of the question. I have been to high stacked arenas (EMU comes to mind) that have plenty of great views from above.

They should revoke all season ticket holders and start fresh. Limit the number of corporate buyers and give fans a better shot. That would get rid of some of the empty seats. Give them to people who want to use them.

30k isn't out of the question. I have been to high stacked arenas (EMU comes to mind) that have plenty of great views from above.

[Echolalia 2,961]

And, get ready for a corporate name. Anyone who thought it wasn't going to happen was just deluding themselves anyway.

uawrnjk;wlesfdbviwejfsdkn

STEVE YZERMAN ARENA!

[BlakChamber 8]

They should revoke all season ticket holders and start fresh. Limit the number of corporate buyers and give fans a better shot. That would get rid of some of the empty seats. Give them to people who want to use them.

30k isn't out of the question. I have been to high stacked arenas (EMU comes to mind) that have plenty of great views from above.

From a buisness perspective, why would you want to limit season ticket holders? It's money in the bank whether they show up for the game or not. And since the NHL is driven so much by ticket revenue, having that money from season ticket holders is pretty important.

And trust me, there's not going to be a 30,000 seat arena.

[Zetter is Better 0]

Limit the number of corporate buyers and give fans a better shot. That would get rid of some of the empty seats. Give them to people who want to use them.

I agree 100%. But, they would rather sell loads of tickets to companies than hope that some fans will buy the tickets.

[betterREDthandead 58]

They should revoke all season ticket holders and start fresh. Limit the number of corporate buyers and give fans a better shot. That would get rid of some of the empty seats. Give them to people who want to use them.

Congratulations, your plan pisses off EVERY season ticket holder, who coincidentally are either your most loyal fans or your biggest cash cows. Both of which are essential to the team.

I would be FURIOUS if I were a long-time season ticket holder and lost my tickets because they made me get in line with everyone else. Ilitch will change the name to the Pink Wings before he cancels all season tickets.

On another note, I really hope that building demolition plan really is a step toward a new arena. My own personal hypothesis: Ilitch has already long since decided that there will be a new building, but he doesn't own all the land he needs and wants to quietly buy it up at market prices. Having learned his lesson from building a baseball stadium, he doesn't want to make the land prices skyrocket and delay the arena by making the grand announcement early. Buy the land, get the paperwork out of the way, and then make the announcement.

What's funny is my mom was predicting this eight or ten years ago: Ilitch is sort of building a little empire of entertainment. Got the Tigers, the Fox, Hockeytown Cafe, maybe a new arena soon.....the area bordered by Brush, Adams, Grand River, and 75 is going to be known as Ilitchania.

[TheCaptain19 49]

the joe has a lot of history behind it. however, so did olympia. eventually you have to let go and realize its time for a change. the wings need a new arena.

[Offsides 21]

They should revoke all season ticket holders and start fresh. Limit the number of corporate buyers and give fans a better shot. That would get rid of some of the empty seats. Give them to people who want to use them.

30k isn't out of the question. I have been to high stacked arenas (EMU comes to mind) that have plenty of great views from above.

They should revoke all season ticket holders and start fresh. Limit the number of corporate buyers and give fans a better shot. That would get rid of some of the empty seats. Give them to people who want to use them.

30k isn't out of the question. I have been to high stacked arenas (EMU comes to mind) that have plenty of great views from above.

What is this EMU that you speak of?

30,000 seats would be ABSOLUTELY ridiculous.

But let me get this straight. You want to kick out all the season ticket holders, then try to sell out a 30K stadium? SURE...good luck. I know it's a bummer when you can't get that ticket to that ONE game that you want to go to, but that's not really incentive to kick out all the season ticket holders. Especially money wise, and this is a business.

I'm a season ticket holder, and I love the Wings, we were on the ticket waiting list for 10 years. We have to spend $4000 to ensure that we will have the ticket for that ONE game we wanted to go to. (Obviously we go to more than one game, but you get the point). If you start over at square one you will still have an arena filled with corportate ticket holders because no one can afford to pay for lower bowl tickets on a consistant basis. Upper bowl tickets are also a chore. Have to sell off a lot and such...and I'm sure it'll go up even higher with the new arena...and don't even get me started on the playoffs.

Unless ticket prices go down...I don't see why everyone's complaining about who's selling out the Joe because no one can flipping afford to take their place.

[Kp-Wings 3]

Unless ticket prices go down...I don't see why everyone's complaining about who's selling out the Joe because no one can flipping afford to take their place.

Unless the Wings fall apart, ticket prices will never come down.

[Offsides 21]

Unless the Wings fall apart, ticket prices will never come down.

Bingo.

(and probably even not then)