We end 2016 with a countdown of the 10 biggest stories of the year on Arena Digest, as chosen by editors and partially based on page views. Today, #10: the continuing growth of the NBA D-League. (more…)
Archive | Features
Space Age Arenas Withstand Time
One of the coolest things about the 1950s and 1960s was the emergence of Space Age design that made its way into every corner of the culture. Looking back fifty years or so, we can see that futuristic vision had a big impact in arena design in the 1960s and 1970s—and some of those great […]
NBA expansion on tap? Not likely
Pretty thin gruel from the NBA bloggers, who claim that NBA expansion is on the way to Seattle and Louisville in the near future. Here’s why it won’t happen. (more…)
Toledo Walleye a good fit in ECHL
Though there’s some fan sentiment toward moving up to the AHL from the lower-level ECHL, it sounds like Toledo Walleye management is happy to stay at their present level. The Walleye franchise is arguably one of the tops in all of minor-league hockey; launched by the same nonprofit that owns the successful Toledo Mud Hens, […]
Good crowd out there tonight, boys: Hockey returns to Johnstown
{jathumbnail off} Hockey returns to Johnstown’s War Memorial Arena, where much of the classic Slap Shot movie was shot, in the form of an NAHL team. War Memorial Arena was home to plenty of hockey over the years, last to the Johnstown Chiefs of the ECHL. It’s a smaller arena — just 4,000 seats — and the […]
Phoenix Coyotes sale in final stages
A sale of the Phoenix Coyotes is expected to be announced tonight, as NHL officials, a potential new owner and Glendale reps work out a purchase and new lease at Jobing.com Arena. Greg Jamison, the former CEO of the San Jose Sharks, is identified as leading a potential new ownership group for the troubled franchise, […]
Saskatoon group: Yes, we want an NHL team, too
On Ice Management Group says it has the cash to bring the NHL to Saskatoon, but insiders doubt the city has the population and corporate base to support a team. Gary Bettman threw out Saskatoon’s name as evidence of the NHL’s popularity, showing a demand for franchises across the continent. It’s not the first time […]
Detroit arena plan emerging: part of a larger mall complex?
With a ton of real-estate activity at the rumored site of a new Detroit Red Wings (NHL) arena, the talk is a new facility could be part of a larger mall complex. The area between Woodward Avenue and Cass near Temple, a blighted area, has emerged as a hot real-estate market in recent months, with […]
Hersheypark Arena to be renovated
Historic Hersheypark Arena, the former home of the Hershey Bears (AHL) originally built by chocolate magnate Milton Hershey, will undergo renovations this fall. The $2.1-million project will address basic infrastructure issues, such as a roof replacement. Opening in 1936, the former Hershey Sports Arena hosted Hershey Bears (AHL) games through 2002, when the team moved […]
Bettman: No guarantees Coyotes will stay in Phoenix
While there’s interest among investors to buy the Phoenix Coyotes, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman admits the team could be headed out of Glendale after the season unless a deal is struck. In his weekly radio show, Bettman reported there were three potential buyers of the Coyotes, owned by the NHL since 2009 after going through […]
Franke: Hockey needs to be more like baseball
With the CHL in rough shape and the Fort Wayne Komets looking to move to the ECHL, owner Michael Franke says more structure is needed in minor-league hockey — with the NHL’s involvement. His solution is simple: there needs to be a more organized structure to minor-league hockey, mimicking the tiered structure used in Minor […]
Edmonton arena design: light, airy, open
{jathumbnail off} A future Edmonton Oilers (NHL) arena would feature a light and airy design, with plenty of places to grab a brew and watch a game, according to concept sketches released by ICON Venue Group. The renderings, presented to the Edmonton City Council this week, envision an arena with an open concourse, plenty of […]
