OT: New JLA
I knew we briefly discussed this on a different thread, but wanted to create one for itself.
The Wings will not renew their lease on Joe Louis Arena and are exploring the possibility of a new arena.
I have some questions to throw at you guys.
1. What would be the best location?
2. What capacity would the arena hold?
3. What would this do for the Red Wings as an organization?
4. What would happen to the Joe?
5. What existing NHL arena would you like to see it resemble?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=4289416
Anyways, I just want to hear your thoughts.
I really doubt they get a new arena although I am in favor of it. They are not renewing the current lease they have, that lease was made 30 yrs ago so it wouldn't be efficient today. They will probably write a new lease for jla but a new arena would be cool.
Actually, the lease the Wings signed 30 years is an absolute steal for them. They are unlikely to get one as generous for the next one. They're doing this to get a new arena. Their current lease agreement is great but JLA can't generate as much revenue as some of the newer arenas around the league.
Well the real reason they declined was so they could hand Cobo Arena over. They gave the city something it wanted and in return they'll probably going to get a new arena.
Yost-esque, ie steep seating and LOUD! Go Wings.
the wings are working on a new one because if they re-up its for another 20 years which would handcuff them if they planned on building a new arena in that time span. thats the only reason why they are doing this. the cost of the lease per year for the "joe" and the parking garage is less than $500,000. they are working on a lease that will be only for a couple of years which pretty much means that they are going to build a new arena. out of any team in the nhl the wings are the team that needs a new arena. the "joe" is a horrible venue. it was built in a hurry and they forgot to put a press box in there and the bathroom situation is a joke. ilitch owns all of the area behind hockey town and the fox so odds are thats where then new arena will be.
The Islanders need one more. Their arena was never even completely finished in the early 70's.
The big thing that the Joe is missing is low and mid-level suites. They would be able to generate some serious cash. The Palace is only a little over a decade older, but it was an innovative design that will enable it to be a good arena for much longer than the Joe.
Any new arena would stay in Detroit due to Illitch and access for fans living in the Windsor area.
the joe has a press box. the thing they forgot when they built it was the suites. but recently they did open some and it's called the comerica bank legends club.
but who cares? the top is a really good view at JLA. unless you plan on buying a suite, why do you care if they are in the middle?
You know, everyone on the American side assumes people from Windsor are Wings fans. But I've discovered it's probably 60:40 Leafs:Wings. Which makes zero sense.
I think the real thing to worry about is if the "Joe" would still be the "Joe", or would it be some bastardized corporate name, like all the other arenas, bowl games, soccer jerseys....
i hope it stays "the joe" i can't stand soccer jerseys. they don't even have the team name on them they just have a bunch of company names. plus half the teams don't use their nicknames.
I said the same thing to my brother the other day but if a new arena is built I guarantee it will be branded with a corporate name. Naming rights generate way too much cash to be ignored.
I bet you 10 million imaginary dollars that it will be called the Little Caesar's Center.
That makes no sense, that would be Ilitch paying himself for the rights. Little Caesar's is a private company, unlike Ford or some other company who did what you're thinking. Ilitch stands to make no money from doing that.
On top of that, Little Caesar's is primarily based in Michigan and the mid-west. If a company is gonna spend that much money on naming rights, they typically have at least a national following.
And you can't forget about the sponsorship of Comerica Park...
If MI was willing to "sell out" the Tigers new ball park, why wouldn't he do it for the Wings?
I love that they don't use their nicknames - it's more about the city/area that way which, IMO, really breeds local fandom.
Just my $0.02
I don't think it will be something awful like the "RedBull Center". If I had to lay money on the table, I'm 90% sure Kroger will buy the rights. "Kroger Center" doesn't sound at all bad to me.
next to Ford Field and Comerica. Would be a great atmosphere to all them on one area.
I thought this post was gonna be about the Justice League of America. I read too many comics...
But I briefly thought the same thing. And I haven't bought a comic book since I was in high school.
1. What would be the best location?
In the Foxtown area, near Comerica and Ford Field. That's the big entertainment district.
2. What capacity would the arena hold?
Probably about the same as now. The Joe currently holds just under 20,000, and the largest arena in the league (Montreal) only holds about a thousand more.
3. What would this do for the Red Wings as an organization?
Increase their revenue streams. There would be a lot more luxury suites, which are cash cows.
4. What would happen to the Joe?
It will be torn down, and this will allow for the expansion of Cobo Hall. They should build a new park on whatever land is left over. A city's waterfront should be open to the public, not blocked off by giant buildings. (Detroit is finally starting to figure this out, with the new Riverwalk.)
5. What existing NHL arena would you like to see it resemble?
Not sure. Don't all the new ones pretty much follow the same blueprint?
1. What would be the best location?
Definitely over by CoPa & Ford Field. There's absolutely no reason to put it elsewhere besides lack of space; that is the big sports district of the city.
2. What capacity would the arena hold?
Just enough to make it larger than Montreal's arena. I'm going to say capacity of 22019, with the 19 being Stevie's number.
3. What would this do for the Red Wings as an organization?
Depends. It'll definitely increase revenue and remove the stigma the JLA has as a horrible venue. It'll also put the most hard-working team in Detroit in a new arena, *cough*something one of the others teams should not have.*cough*
4. What would happen to the Joe?
Demolish it.
5. What existing NHL arena would you like to see it resemble?
I haven't been to any others, but I'd love to see the atmosphere approach what I saw of Chicago's arena this playoff season.
Of the 'newer' arenas I've been to, I like Nationwide in Columbus.
I'd like to see it modeled after a few NBA arenas more than NHL ones. Conseco Fieldhouse in particualr is how it should look from the outside. Inside? Nationwide is really nice, they should go with that
As to the other questions:
1. It will go in Foxtown
2. It should be smaller than the Joe, try to eliminate any lack of sellouts.
3. It will mean more money, but also it will end the Palace's domination of major arena acts in metro Detroit. Which is good for people who don't live in Oakland or Macomb counties
4. Tear it down, use part of it for Cobo and the rest as park space on the best spot on the river. Windsor has the right idea, the riverfront should be for the public to enjoy.