Would New Arena Attract You More?

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I understand and appreciate how "modern" arenas look, but for me personally in the grand scheme of things, I don't worry too much about the stadium appearance. Just give me bathroom stalls to urinate in and an A/C system that works to keep the arena temperatures comfortable and I'm satisifed more often than not. I'm not hard to please or high-maintenance when it comes to stadium amenities or entertainment outside the game. I don't get bored easily and I go to sporting events live to watch the game on the playing surface/ice, not so much the stuff outside the game.

[schulzte 18]

The website www.seats3d.com is a good resource to see how other arenas are set up and priced compared to the Red Wings. I'll have to say, while Red Wings tickets certainly aren't a bargain, there aren't many bargains with other teams either. Check out prices for the Av's; they are brutal! Lower bowl seating in other arenas are comparable, though there appear to be more seats in the >$40 range in many arenas.

As for a new arena, again with the shameless plug for the New Olympia Stadium plan.

Edited May 17, 2008 by schulzte

[VM1138 1,921]

A new arena would help. Not solve the problem, but it would help. A lot of people who have already been there don't go back because of the bad neighborhood at night and the confusion of access and parking.

[Jwo 7]

The website www.seats3d.com is a good resource to see how other arenas are set up and priced compared to the Red Wings. I'll have to say, while Red Wings tickets certainly aren't a bargain, there aren't many bargains with other teams either. Check out prices for the Av's; they are brutal! Lower bowl seating in other arenas are comparable, though there appear to be more seats in the >$40 range in many arenas.

As for a new arena, again with the shameless plug for the New Olympia Stadium plan.

They seem to be a bargain since a lot of Michigan people are moving to those cities to pack those arenas.

Edited May 17, 2008 by Jwo

[Chaldean 0]

The city of Detroit and its residents don't deserve the Red Wings. Move them out in the suburbs would be the best idea and would probably be sold out in consistant bases.

[OsGOD 3]

I like compuware... nice tiny and about 10mins from my house

[marcaractac 3,963]

A new arena now would only help for the short term. Also, if they did build a new arena, I bet anything that it would seat less than the Joe. Definitely not more. The new arenas make too much money off of the press boxes these days. Every new arena in the league is loaded with them, at the expense of a good chunk of chairs...

[sjradio 0]

I have a few ideas

First off, I love the JLA right where it is, if you get to the arena well enough in advance, there is nothing like the view along the Detroit River (except if it's too cold).

Option 1 - Solution for the Tiger stadium site - Build a new arena for the Wings at "the corner" leaving the Cobo hall and allowing for the city to expand the convention hall, which is need for the auto show

Option 2 - Tear down the JLA/Cobo and rebuild - while this is going on, the Wings could play at The Palace. I am sure Bill Davidson and Mike Illitch could get along for a few years while the Wings arena is being built. The Pistons played at the JLA for a number of years, why not the Pistons return the favor. The Palace has an ice plant, the sight lines are great, and it can hold 20,000 for hockey. A few Vipers IHL games had 20,000+ attendance marks.

[BlakChamber 8]

I have a few ideas

First off, I love the JLA right where it is, if you get to the arena well enough in advance, there is nothing like the view along the Detroit River (except if it's too cold).

Option 1 - Solution for the Tiger stadium site - Build a new arena for the Wings at "the corner" leaving the Cobo hall and allowing for the city to expand the convention hall, which is need for the auto show

Option 2 - Tear down the JLA/Cobo and rebuild - while this is going on, the Wings could play at The Palace. I am sure Bill Davidson and Mike Illitch could get along for a few years while the Wings arena is being built. The Pistons played at the JLA for a number of years, why not the Pistons return the favor. The Palace has an ice plant, the sight lines are great, and it can hold 20,000 for hockey. A few Vipers IHL games had 20,000+ attendance marks.

First off, I disagree with you completely that the Joe is in a good spot. You're surrounded by fences, the river, and the Lodge. A location like Comerica/Ford Field where you can actually put other businesses around the arena would be much better.

I don't see either of those happening. Illitch doesn't own the Tiger Stadium land and he probably wouldn't be able to get it at a decent price. Meanwhile, he has plenty of other land he's bought up where an arena could go. Other than fan speculation, I've never read anything that the city is considering Tiger Stadium for a new arena or that the Illitch's have even proposed it.

As for your second option, where is the car show going to go?

Personally, I think a new arena is inevitable. So is a corporate name.

[sinbin 3]

Hell NO!!!, it's all about economics....gas, parking, food & tickets= easy $300...I'll kick back on my comfortable sofa, fix my cocktails they way I like them, and don't have to wait to use the latrine! I love the atmos at the Joe, but I can't justify spending that kind of cash!....oh, I live in No. MI., 4 hours from the Joe!

[betterREDthandead 58]

The city of Detroit and its residents don't deserve the Red Wings. Move them out in the suburbs would be the best idea and would probably be sold out in consistant bases.

Yeah, then it could be just like the Palace....nothing to do after the game but spend 10 minutes walking across the sea of asphalt and then another 15 trying to navigate out of the parking lot.

Suburban arenas are the worst.

[shoe 165]

Hell NO!!!, it's all about economics....gas, parking, food & tickets= easy $300...I'll kick back on my comfortable sofa, fix my cocktails they way I like them, and don't have to wait to use the latrine! I love the atmos at the Joe, but I can't justify spending that kind of cash!....oh, I live in No. MI., 4 hours from the Joe!

Interesting point, I just bought myself a new 46" HD tv just before the playoffs and watching the games have been great. Maybe its not just an economic thing but a battle of "bringing the game to your living room" vs going to the game. Going to the game is great I can tell so many stories of the people the atmosphere the smells (good and bad) ect ect. But getting everyone together to watch the big game on the big screen is getting easier and easier to do.

From a Torontonians perspective I really really miss going to the games at the old maple leaf gardens the new ACC dosnt compare its not the same game there, they said they would do it right but it dosnt feel like old time hockey to me feels more like a basketball stadium. I would hope if the Joe is replaced it would feel more old than new. Ive been to a game at the joe and I really like it you feel "there."

[sjradio 0]

First off, I disagree with you completely that the Joe is in a good spot. You're surrounded by fences, the river, and the Lodge. A location like Comerica/Ford Field where you can actually put other businesses around the arena would be much better.

I don't see either of those happening. Illitch doesn't own the Tiger Stadium land and he probably wouldn't be able to get it at a decent price. Meanwhile, he has plenty of other land he's bought up where an arena could go. Other than fan speculation, I've never read anything that the city is considering Tiger Stadium for a new arena or that the Illitch's have even proposed it.

As for your second option, where is the car show going to go?

Personally, I think a new arena is inevitable. So is a corporate name.

I never said that either one of these ideas have ever been proposed before... I am proposing it.

Even on the west side of the state, we hear a lot of stories about "what to do with Tiger Stadium"

I do know that the Auto Show is cramped at Cobo, it needs a major expansion. They've been talking about it for years and 5 years ago I went to the show with a guy I worked with at the station who was big into cars.

the JLA is the 5th oldest building in the league

1961 Mellon Arena (Pittsburgh) - New Arena coming for the Penguins in 2010-11

1968 Madison Square Garden (NY Rangers) - Underwent a $200 million upgrade in 1991

1972 Nassau Coliseum (NY Islanders) - Islanders have a new arena proposed (The Lighthouse project)

1974 Rexall Place - (Edmonton) - Remodled in 1994 - new ownership group is looking and very interested in new arena - They have 6 years left on lease.

1979 Joe Louis Arena (Red Wings) - Illitches have done no "major rennovations" since buying the team, they gave it a facelift, added the Legends club, but not much else

1983 Saddledome (Flames) - The Flames have conducted studies on a new arena but nothing yet.

I agree that a new arena is inevitable, especially since the lease on the JLA is almost up. They'll extend it but the deal that the Illitch's have with the City lets the Illitch's make off like bandits. The city will not allow the current terms of the lease to continue much longer, it's almost like the Wings are ripping the city off.

So a new arena will be coming, I would say in about 10 years we will see a new arena for the wings. But the land around Comerica/Fox/Ford field is becoming too valueable and I don't think that you'll get enough land cheap. So you have to look elsewhere. Tiger Stadium has been sitting there for almost a decade, and the only thing that's been done to it since the Tigers moved out was, immitating Yankee Stadium for Billy Crystal's movie.

I know we love the JLA, but facts are facts, this new age of luxury suites and fan amenities are the way things are. Even Corporate naming rights. (they help pay for things)

Montreal left the forum, Toronto left Maple Leaf Gardens, Boston said goodbye to the Boston Gardens, Chicago said goodbye to "The Madhouse on Madison" Things have got to change. One day we are going to have to say goodbye to the Joe. But especially in the economic problems in Michigan. You have to look at the right location and cost.

If a new arena is to happen, they need to be able to get the land at a price that won't break you. Construction costs are going to be high enough.

[sinbin 3]

I never said that either one of these ideas have ever been proposed before... I am proposing it.

Even on the west side of the state, we hear a lot of stories about "what to do with Tiger Stadium"

I do know that the Auto Show is cramped at Cobo, it needs a major expansion. They've been talking about it for years and 5 years ago I went to the show with a guy I worked with at the station who was big into cars.

the JLA is the 5th oldest building in the league

1961 Mellon Arena (Pittsburgh) - New Arena coming for the Penguins in 2010-11

1968 Madison Square Garden (NY Rangers) - Underwent a $200 million upgrade in 1991

1972 Nassau Coliseum (NY Islanders) - Islanders have a new arena proposed (The Lighthouse project)

1974 Rexall Place - (Edmonton) - Remodled in 1994 - new ownership group is looking and very interested in new arena - They have 6 years left on lease.

1979 Joe Louis Arena (Red Wings) - Illitches have done no "major rennovations" since buying the team, they gave it a facelift, added the Legends club, but not much else

1983 Saddledome (Flames) - The Flames have conducted studies on a new arena but nothing yet.

I agree that a new arena is inevitable, especially since the lease on the JLA is almost up. They'll extend it but the deal that the Illitch's have with the City lets the Illitch's make off like bandits. The city will not allow the current terms of the lease to continue much longer, it's almost like the Wings are ripping the city off.

So a new arena will be coming, I would say in about 10 years we will see a new arena for the wings. But the land around Comerica/Fox/Ford field is becoming too valueable and I don't think that you'll get enough land cheap. So you have to look elsewhere. Tiger Stadium has been sitting there for almost a decade, and the only thing that's been done to it since the Tigers moved out was, immitating Yankee Stadium for Billy Crystal's movie.

I know we love the JLA, but facts are facts, this new age of luxury suites and fan amenities are the way things are. Even Corporate naming rights. (they help pay for things)

Montreal left the forum, Toronto left Maple Leaf Gardens, Boston said goodbye to the Boston Gardens, Chicago said goodbye to "The Madhouse on Madison" Things have got to change. One day we are going to have to say goodbye to the Joe. But especially in the economic problems in Michigan. You have to look at the right location and cost.

If a new arena is to happen, they need to be able to get the land at a price that won't break you. Construction costs are going to be high enough.

and a % of this will be included in the new high price tickets......MICHIGAN IS IN THE TOILET RIGHT NOW!!!!

We cannot afford to fill the Joe right now! Wake up & smell your 2 day old coffee!

[EuroTwinLove40 0]

I am vehemently opposed to a new arena. Here's why:

Home ice advantage will vanish. The Joe is a tough place to play for visiting teams for a lot of reasons; from the ice surface, to the home team knowing the quirks of the building, to the measly accommodations the visiting team gets. In a new arena, these things all go away. Will they be replaced by other things that give the Wings a huge advantage? Don't count on it. Mystique goes a long way and it's hard won over a period of time.

The men piss in troughs in the men's room. You can't get more old time hockey than that.

The new arena won't be Joe Louis Arena anymore. There will be some ridiculous corporate name attached to it. Prepared to cheer the team on at Softsoap Center? Neither am I. Corporate sponsorship is the f**king enemy of mankind.

I like my barns old and rickety, thank you.

I agree with this 100%. There's just something about the Joe, all of it's flaws and oldness, that makes it feel like old time hockey. I hate seeing other arenas on tv and their concourses look like the inside of a mall, it's ridiculous. A new arena may be inevitable, but I hope we don't see one anytime soon.

The city of Detroit and its residents don't deserve the Red Wings. Move them out in the suburbs would be the best idea and would probably be sold out in consistant bases.

While the first part of your statement may be true, I would hate it if the wings moved to the burbs! I love going downtown to see tigers and wings games because the atmostphere is SO much better than driving 10 minutes from my house to go to the Palace. Plus, the people buying tickets now are usually from the suburbs so I don't see how moving them to the burbs would help with sellouts.

[JayUp88 1]

Wouldn't building the new arena (The Little Caesars Center) bring a lot of jobs to the arena. Someones got to work on it. Detroit could use some new jobs.

[C-Dub 0]

I am tired of all of the attendance issues that the media comments on. I don't care if the Wings don't sell out every game, real fans know the reasons that they don't sell out and we don't need to be told about it by commentators.

My question is, if the Illitch's were to build a new arena (say 21000-24000 capacity) downtown, with adequate parking and entertainment facilities (concourse, restaurants, bars) would this boost attendance? Would you want to go to Detroit to pay for the same tickets (say the prices stayed the same or increased slightly) to see the Wings in a new arena as opposed to JLA?

I, for one, do not go to as many games as I could. I have gone to 2 post-season games this season (Game 1s in the 1st and 3rd rounds) and zero games during this season. The reason I went to games this year was that my mother as a GM employee received discounted ticket prices and I took them up on the offer. Price is always an issue, as is driving distance, time, food, and parking for all fans. Some people just don't feel like driving 40 miles, searching for decent and close parking, and paying expensive prices for food and drinks on top of the $200 they spent on tickets.

But, if there were an entertainment complex consisting of more than just an arena, I for one would be more tempted to travel downtown and spend the day there, not just from 7:00 to 11:00 to see the game, but get there around noon for lunch and spend a few hours after the game as well. I think that a new, exciting district is needed for the Wings (the Tigers and Lions would benefit also) to attract fans downtown and keep them there.

Thoughts?

The day will come when we get a new arena, and sadly, it will also be called "Corporation XYZ Center/Place/Arena". Which sucks and really takes away from the history of the team and its connection to the city. Who's left with still a meaningful arena name? NYR with Madison Square Garden and JLA...can't think of anyone else.

[OsGOD 3]

The only way the building of attendence will fix the preconceived "attendance woes" both short and long term is if they make it a 17,999 seat arena.

JLA is not the cause of the issue moreso the effect of residing in Michigan

[babygorilla 1]

The idea of a new arena around the fox town area would be great. Having the 3 arenas with in 4 block of each other, and all the great bars that area like town pump, centar, park bar, cliff bell, etc. That would be a huge boost for the area in many ways. Would love to see it happen.

[OsGOD 3]

I think it would just congest everything more than it already is... There isn't enough space for all the cars down there... because we all know, nobody actually lives down there, they form the mass commute to do anything down there. I say move the arena about 30 miles NW on 96... that would be perfect!

[BlueMonk 102]

I have to say, it's refreshing to see the quality of discussion on this thread. After watching all the pis**ng matches that followed the past couple of games, it's good to see we can still have a rational conversation about something here.

[BlakChamber 8]

I never said that either one of these ideas have ever been proposed before... I am proposing it.

Even on the west side of the state, we hear a lot of stories about "what to do with Tiger Stadium"

I have a hard time believing that no one in the Ilitch organization thought up the idea and it was decided internally not to go for it.

I agree that a new arena is inevitable, especially since the lease on the JLA is almost up. They'll extend it but the deal that the Illitch's have with the City lets the Illitch's make off like bandits. The city will not allow the current terms of the lease to continue much longer, it's almost like the Wings are ripping the city off.

So a new arena will be coming, I would say in about 10 years we will see a new arena for the wings. But the land around Comerica/Fox/Ford field is becoming too valueable and I don't think that you'll get enough land cheap. So you have to look elsewhere. Tiger Stadium has been sitting there for almost a decade, and the only thing that's been done to it since the Tigers moved out was, immitating Yankee Stadium for Billy Crystal's movie.

I know we love the JLA, but facts are facts, this new age of luxury suites and fan amenities are the way things are. Even Corporate naming rights. (they help pay for things)

Montreal left the forum, Toronto left Maple Leaf Gardens, Boston said goodbye to the Boston Gardens, Chicago said goodbye to "The Madhouse on Madison" Things have got to change. One day we are going to have to say goodbye to the Joe. But especially in the economic problems in Michigan. You have to look at the right location and cost.

If a new arena is to happen, they need to be able to get the land at a price that won't break you. Construction costs are going to be high enough.

If the Tigers can leave Tiger Stadium, the Wings can leave JLA. Personally, I don't think of JLA at the same level as Maple Leaf Gardens, Boston Gardens, etc. That was Olympia which unfortunately I never got to go to. I'd say JLA is more like the Astrodome.

As far as cheap land, Tiger Stadium sure as hell isn't going to be cheap. And, Ilitch already owns a bunch of land in Foxtown.

I think it would just congest everything more than it already is... There isn't enough space for all the cars down there... because we all know, nobody actually lives down there, they form the mass commute to do anything down there. I say move the arena about 30 miles NW on 96... that would be perfect!

Despite what people think, it really wouldn't add to the congestion. There's a very small window of time where the Wings, Tigers, and Lions could play at the same time. The only time its possible is Sundays in October if the Tigers make the playoffs.

[OsGOD 3]

Despite what people think, it really wouldn't add to the congestion. There's a very small window of time where the Wings, Tigers, and Lions could play at the same time. The only time its possible is Sundays in October if the Tigers make the playoffs.

I guess parking and the cost of it is much more an issue i see... I stay away from the area at all costs (despite going to Hockeytown Cafe with some out of towners ) I don't really care for that area at all. which is why i love the joe set back away from all that crap...

[betterREDthandead 58]

I guess parking and the cost of it is much more an issue i see... I stay away from the area at all costs (despite going to Hockeytown Cafe with some out of towners ) I don't really care for that area at all. which is why i love the joe set back away from all that crap...

That's exactly why a new arena would be such a boost. Plop one down and it would take care of a lot of the blight that currently exists there. It'd be a sort of bridge between the MGM and Foxtown. And given the money Ilitch must make by charging $15 at the Joe parking garage, I bet a new garage would be part of the deal.

[betterREDthandead 58]

I have to say, it's refreshing to see the quality of discussion on this thread. After watching all the pis**ng matches that followed the past couple of games, it's good to see we can still have a rational conversation about something here.

shut up u not rly w1ngs fan