The new downtown Evansville arena officially has a name — Ford Center — and a lead pro-sports tenant after the Evansville IceMen (CHL) come to terms on a new lease after some amazingly contentious negotiations. The naming-rights deal, announced today by arena manager VenuWorks, is a 10-year deal worth $4.2 million. In additional to the […]
Archive | Features
IceCaps: Yes, we still have tickets
The St. John’s IceCaps (AHL) have a high-class problem: after selling 4,500 season tickets, sales have slowed down because most people assume there’s limited or no ducat availability. Not so, says management. In fact, the team is adding more season-ticket capacity by removing an alcohol-free designation from two sections, making them more attractive to season-ticket […]
New rail stop = new Red Wings arena site?
There’s only one reason to add a stop at Temple Street on Detroit’s proposed Woodward Avenue light-rail project: to bring fans to and from a new Detroit Red Wings (NHL) arena. There’s been no official announcement of a new-arena site; indeed, Red Wings ownership is pretty cagey about the whole idea of a new arena. […]
Oilers prep Plan B for new Edmonton arena
The Edmonton Oilers (NHL) have done their homework on a backup plan for a new arena should a downtown plan fall though by holding discussions with the Enoch Cree Nation this past spring. The discussions didn’t really go very far; both sides acknowledge that the first choice of the Oilers is a downtown site, and […]
Casino revs to bail out Blue Jackets lease?
Tax revenues from a proposed casino on the West Side of Columbus could help bail out the staggering losses incurred by the Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL) because of a bad Nationwide Arena lease. The proposal, which isn’t yet public but reported upon by the Columbus Dispatch, would use tax revenues from the Hollywood Casino Columbus […]
Suffolk County eying new Isles arena
The New York Islanders (NHL) may end up staying on Long Island after all if Suffolk County, a neighbor to Nassau County, can put together a deal for a new arena. According to AP, Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy approached Islanders owner Charles Wang about what the county could do to land the team. No […]
Ohio State to continue managing Nationwide Arena
Under a management deal that seems to be benefiting both facilities, Ohio State will continue to run both Schottenstein Center and Nationwide Arena, home of the Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL). It is an odd situation, to be sure, from top to bottom. First, the arena is actually owned by Nationwide Insurance; the Blue Jackets hold […]
Wang: I won’t move Isles
Despite a new-arena referendum being overwhelmingly voted down by Nassau County voters Monday, New York Islanders owner Charles Wang says he has no intention of moving the NHL franchise. The vote, which came down 57 percent-43 percent against borrowing $400 million to fund the arena and a minor-league ballpark, certainly showed public sentiment dead set […]
Voters overwhelmingly reject new Nassau County arena
In the end, it wasn’t even close: by a margin of 57 against and 43 percent for, Nassau County voters overwhelmingly rejected a bond referendum providing $350 million for a new New York Islanders arena. The vote would have borrowed $400 million for a new arena and a $50-million minor-league ballpark. There certainly was a […]
Trenton Titans back in the ECHL
Say goodbye to the Trenton Devils and NHL ownership; say hello to the Trenton Titans and a new ownership group. > The ECHL formally approved the Titans during the league’s most recent meetings. The team is owned by Blue Line Sports, LLC with Rich Lisk serving as managing partner. The ownership ensures that hockey remains […]
Alberta premier pitched on Edmonton arena funding
Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach was briefed on the proposed Edmonton Oilers (NHL) arena and asked to provide $100 million in provincial funding; a decision should come sooner rather than later. Stelmach is leaving office after his current term ends, and he’s pledged to help arrive at some sort of arena conclusion in Edmonton before then. […]
Tensions escalate over new Edmonton arena
A deal between Edmonton Oilers (NHL) owner Daryl Katz and the city for a new arena has a proposed clause causing some nasty feeling: they want Northlands, nonprofit operator of Rexall Place, to sign a noncompete. Such a deal is defensible from a business viewpoint if you are Katz: Arena Economics 101 says two facilities […]
