The Philadelphia Soul is returning to the Arena Football League for the 2011 season, but former owner Jon Bon Jovi won’t be part of the ownership group. Bon Jovi was an integral part of the Soul ownership during the team’s previous stint in the AFL, combining concerts with games and appearing on game-of-the-week telecasts. But […]
Archive | Benefits
UFC yanks show from Salt Lake after poor ticket sales
Poor advance sales for an Aug. 1 card at Salt Lake City’s EnergySolutions Arena is forcing Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to move the event to the San Diego Sports Arena. It’s a surprise, given how hot UFC is nationally and how often the company sells out arenas — even big-buck matches like UFC 114 in […]
Master plan for Las Vegas arena includes NBA, NHL teams
A game plan of sorts is emerging for the developer proposing a new arena on the Las Vegas Strip, including the ownership of NBA and NHL franchises and temporary venues for each before a new facility is built. To say the plan is audacious is an understatement. But big thinking is wired into the Las […]
Vipers to stay at State Farm Arena
After exploring other venues in the area, the D-League’s Rio Grande Valley Vipers have decided to spend the next two seasons at Hildalgo’s State Farm Arena. The Vipers had explored a lease at the McAllen Convention Center, but at the end of the day came up with a lease at State Farm Arena that was […]
Las Vegas foundation drops arena effort
A local foundation working with AEG on a new Las Vegas arena behind the Imperial Palace casino has abandoned their efforts after overwhelming apathy from Clark County leaders. The Las Vegas Arena Foundation says it will stop its pursuit of the arena, which would be built on land donated by Harrah’s and funded by a […]
The week that was: June 12
Here are the most popular stories in the past week on Arena Digest, as measured in page views. In general, it was a week where the new ownership of the Phoenix Coyotes and the proposed merger between the CHL and the IHL dominated the news. Hold your horses: CHL/IHL merger hitting obstacles Bettman: Oh, Canada? […]
New for 2010: Maverik Center
The former E-Center in West Valley City, Utah, has a new name, as the home of the Utah Blaze (AFL) and the Utah Grizzlies (ECHL) is now the Maverik Center. Maverik, a convenience and gas retailer headquartered in Utah, finalized a multi-year agreement including exclusive sponsorship, advertising rights and prominent signage on the exterior and […]
Kalamazoo arena proponents turning to private sector
After Kalamazo County Commissioners passed on putting a tax increase on an August ballot to fund a proposed Kalamazoo arena, proponents are turning to the private sector to revive the project. The proposed downtown Kalamazoo arena would house the Kalamazoo Wings (IHL) and Western Michigan sports teams. Owned by Western Michigan, the proposed nine-acre site […]
IFL looks to expand in Southwest
Indoor Football League (IFL) Commissioner Tommy Benezio recently met with potential team owners about setting up a Southwest Division for the 2011 IFL season. Potential teams/owners from Fresno (CA), Las Vegas (NV), Albuquerque (NM), Tuscan (AZ), Prescott Valley (AZ), and El Paso (TX) were in attendance. “The meeting was very informative and our attendance was […]
IFL’s Alaska Wild folds; forfeit wins awarded
The Alaska Wild has folded operations after informing the Indoor Football League it could not field enough players to make up a squad and pay travel expenses. The league awarded forfeit wins to the next four Wild opponents: Billings, La Crosse, Kent and Tri-Cities. The Wild was slated to visit Tri-Cities on June 12; a […]
Despite woes of sports teams, businesses pleased with U.S. Cellular Coliseum
Despite the financial woes experienced by the pro sports teams playing at U.S. Cellular Coliseum, area businesses are thrilled with the financial impact from the facility. The Bloomington, Indiana facility has made an impact by bringing in high-impact groups and concerts to the area. Arena management estimates that these events have added $60 million to […]
Vipers fitting in nicely in new AFL
The Alabama Vipers may not play in a major market, but the Huntsville-based team is managing to fit in well with the economics of the new Arena Football League. The Vipers play at the Von Braun Center, which has a very limited capacity of 6,200. And the Vipers aren’t selling out the place, averaging 4,205 […]
