Baltimore’s New Arena Vs. Kansas City’s Sprint Center

[Soccer-Man]

If you build it, they will come. At least that was the ill fated thinking behind the Kansas City Sprint Center. It was built without ANY tenants and was done that way on purpose. The Sprint Center was to be so attractive that NO NBA or NHL team could say no. Unfortunately for them, every available NHL and NBA team has said NO. I mean c’mon, the Kings, Penguins, Predators, Coyotes, Thrashers has all said thanks but no thanks. They were so sure that this project would be a slam dunk, that arena management, Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), kind of didn’t want indoor soccer as a tenant. That speaks of arrogance, especially when indoor soccer is huge in K.C. and would have drawn big numbers in that building. The Comets now play to 70% capacity in Independence, MO, while the Sprint Center has as it’s only tenant, minor league football. Oh how the mighty has fallen. And you wonder why the Sprint Center is known as the White Elephant around the nation.

Fast Forward to the present day and we come to a vibrant plan by the City of Baltimore to build a new arena as part of its convention center expansion.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-downtown-plans-20110525,0,1434961.story


Folks, the arena is as good as paid for with private funding by construction magnate Willard Hackerman. Now don’t get me wrong, Baltimore may NOT get an NBA or NHL team, but at least they are being smart and not arrogant about it. We are talking in terms or an AHL team and a Arena Football team to complement the 6 Time World Champion BALTIMORE BLAST. The BLAST will easily draw 10 to 12,000 a night in a new building. Hell, they draw 7,000 in 1st Mariner. It is the belief of many, that with measured expectations and common sense, the new BALTIMORE arena will be a far greater success than the Sprint Center can ’s failure is now complete by not agreeing to terms with the Comets when the time was best suited for all parties.


SHAME

[nksports]

That speaks of arrogance, especially when indoor soccer is huge in K.C. and would have drawn big numbers in that building. The Comets now play to 70% capacity in Independence, MO, while the Sprint Center has as it’s only tenant, minor league football.

I need some of the stuff you're smoking. 70% of 5,000 is 3,500. In a 15,000-seat arena, that would be 23.3 percent of capacity and would sound like crickets. Close to what the team was doing in Kemper. When the team was put on hiatus, the owners kept saying they would bring them back in a smaller building, and were looking at projects in Olathe and Overland Park that fell through.
The Independence venue fits the team's demographics better than what a downtown arena would offer. Any profits the team would make would get eaten up by the rent downtown.

Yes, the Sprint Center is looking for an NHL and/or NBA team, but the arena is doing quite well with concert bookings, NCAA basketball and other special events. And while KC was played (especially by the Penguins), one town may blink (think Seattle, now OKC Thunder) and Kansas City here they come (The Sacramento Kings may find out LA can only support so many NBA teams).

[BlastFan]

The Blast do have the capability of drawing sell outs in the building they have now (they showed us at the championship) but if they move arenas I believe they will still draw the same crowd in the 7,000 to 9,000 range per regular season game.

This is depressing in a way. 31 Years, the Blast have claimed home to Baltimore Arena. No other arena has seen that much indoor soccer. And its got a vibe to it too with the stage area and the dozens of banners hanging over it and the concourse which still looks like its in the 70s/80s. I'm going to miss it.
Hopefully the new arena will keep in touch with the rich history of the oldest indoor team around.

[Sam Hill]

A 92-year old guy is going to pony up for an arena? Fabulous. Do you know how long it takes from "someone promises to fund an arena" to "first event in that arena?"

The Blast wouldn't average 11-12,000 a game in a new building. This sport just isn't popular enough for that. Anywhere.

[Soccer-Man]

I need some of the stuff you're smoking. 70% of 5,000 is 3,500. In a 15,000-seat arena, that would be 23.3 percent of capacity and would sound like crickets. Close to what the team was doing in Kemper. When the team was put on hiatus, the owners kept saying they would bring them back in a smaller building, and were looking at projects in Olathe and Overland Park that fell through.
The Independence venue fits the team's demographics better than what a downtown arena would offer. Any profits the team would make would get eaten up by the rent downtown.

Yes, the Sprint Center is looking for an NHL and/or NBA team, but the arena is doing quite well with concert bookings, NCAA basketball and other special events. And while KC was played (especially by the Penguins), one town may blink (think Seattle, now OKC Thunder) and Kansas City here they come (The Sacramento Kings may find out LA can only support so many NBA teams).

You are correct. 70% 5,000 is 3,500. However, the Independence Center seats 5,800 for indoor soccer and 70% of that number is 4,060. The Comets averaged 4,017. Just had to clear up some math.

Again, the Sprint Center's failure is now complete. They overplayed their hand in believing that the NHL and the NBA would trip over themselves trying to relocate there. Major miscalculation or arrogance? You decide, but either way, the Sprint Center's only tenant is minor league football. The Comets are very strong now, but would be stronger in the Sprint Center. Too bad AEG couldn't see the forest for the trees.

SHAME

[Sam Hill]

The Comets are very strong now, but would be stronger in the Sprint Center.

And by "stronger," you mean "losing much more money."

[Trish_lvs_Baltimore]

Can we just build this NEW arena already? Sheez! LOL

[BlastFan]

I don't get it... Baltimore Arena suits the needs of the city already. No chance of a pro basketball or pro hockey team in the future, and a minor league hockey team would be fine at the place they have now. It fits the Blast and indoor soccer perfectly (no other arena has been close to hosting 3+ decades of indoor soccer). This might just RUIN the Blast's dynasty!

Why is newer always better? I'm gonna be sad when they tear the old one down. "If it works, don't fix it."

[dmbishop]

Why is newer always better? I'm gonna be sad when they tear the old one down. "If it works, don't fix it."

3 words: Alternate Revenue Streams

[Pounder]

Sprint Center's anchor tenant is "home away from home" for Kansas Jayhawk basketball. Baltimore will have, er, what?

Point, Sprint Center, sort of.

I just fired up this wacky blog entry about, shall we say, a Portland response to a Seattle arena proposal. http://blogbythepound.wordpress.com/2011/07/12/a-hockey-specific-dream/

It's not like there isn't a hockey franchise or two that might be on the market, but even then, Gary Bettman is going to protect the publicly funded facilities they already have until it's time to beg for a new one.

[BlastFan]

3 words: Alternate Revenue Streams

For sports, Baltimore's arena is fine. If a minor league hockey team ever came in, or the Blast started selling out games, they can add the seats on the stage to boost its capacity up to 14,000. And minor league hockey is the only other sport they have a chance with.

For concerts, the arena may be a little small, but does that justify building a new arena?