Northwestern to replace DePaul at Allstate Arena

[Pakuni]

Just for the 2017-18 season while Welsh-Ryan is being renovated.

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20160927/sports/160928942/

[Tugg Speedman]

Could not get a deal with the United Center?

[buckchuckler]

Could not get a deal with the United Center?

Seriously?  They couldn't cover the overhead.

[GB Warrior]

Finally, there's a game at the Allstate that DePaul fans might want to go to.

[warriorchick]

Seriously?  They couldn't cover the overhead.

.

DePaul was offered a deal to play in the UC for free.  Why not Northwestern?

[Pakuni]

.

DePaul was offered a deal to play in the UC for free.  Why not Northwestern?

Regarding DePaul, the UC wanted to keep all the parking, concession and suite revenues, and wanted DePaul to make a 10-year commitment. That was a non-starter, since DePaul wanted its own facility.

[GooooMarquette]

.

DePaul was offered a deal to play in the UC for free.  Why not Northwestern?

I thought part of the reason for the DePaul offer was that the UC owners didn't competition from the new arena.  That isn't an issue with Northwestern.

[Herman Cain]

I wonder how many season ticket holders NU has and how many students will show up at the games?

[Dr. Blackheart]

Rosemont is the Wisconsn Dells for Millenials.  Because of the B32, this will be a good move. 

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Rosemont is the Wisconsn Dells for Millenials.  Because of the B32, this will be a good move.

Fat millenials with lots of tattoos and affinities for dumb t-shirts?

[Brewtown Andy]

I wonder how many season ticket holders NU has and how many students will show up at the games?

Welsh-Ryan holds just over 8,000.

NU averaged just over 6,900 last year.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Fat millenials with lots of tattoos and affinities for dumb t-shirts?

Neck beards, anti-anti-perspiration and rumpled, under fitted tees make for a good, finely muddled cocktail.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Could not get a deal with the United Center?

The reality is that there are only two teams that play all of their home games at an NBA stadium. Us and Georgetown. Makes us unique but playing in an NBA arena isn't usually the best option for a college team.

[Tugg Speedman]

Remember it is only one year as they remodel Walsh-Ryan.  Since they are sinking many millions into that stadium (in addition to over $200 million in a new athletic facility on the lakefront) I cannot believe the rent of the UC for 17 dates was a deal-killer.

A school that is spending that kind of money on a new basketball stadium, and would like to see its basketball team breakthrough and get its first ever bid to the NCAA ... the novelty factor of playing in the UC for one year could be something that reminds Chicago a Big 10 basketball team exists in Chicago and maybe get some sweather-vests to consider making the trip to see them play.

[GooooMarquette]

Remember it is only one year as they remodel Walsh-Ryan.  Since they are sinking many millions into that stadium (in addition to over $200 million in a new athletic facility on the lakefront) I cannot believe the rent of the UC for 17 dates was a deal-killer.

A school that is spending that kind of money on a new basketball stadium, and would like to see its basketball team breakthrough and get its first ever bid to the NCAA ... the novelty factor of playing in the UC for one year could be something that reminds Chicago a Big 10 basketball team exists in Chicago and maybe get some sweather-vests to consider making the trip to see them play.

Fair points.  But big pro arenas and novelty factors also have downsides.

With an average attendance under 7,000, the UC for a Northwestern game risks looking like the Prudential Center for a Seton Hall game - an embarrassing number of people disguised as empty seats. 

Also consider that NU would be (at best) third in line behind the Blackhawks and Bulls for dates/times.  Seems plausible that UC availability might not have come close to meeting NU's needs.

[Herman Cain]

Remember it is only one year as they remodel Walsh-Ryan.  Since they are sinking many millions into that stadium (in addition to over $200 million in a new athletic facility on the lakefront) I cannot believe the rent of the UC for 17 dates was a deal-killer.

A school that is spending that kind of money on a new basketball stadium, and would like to see its basketball team breakthrough and get its first ever bid to the NCAA ... the novelty factor of playing in the UC for one year could be something that reminds Chicago a Big 10 basketball team exists in Chicago and maybe get some sweather-vests to consider making the trip to see them play.

I wonder if they tried to make a deal to rent DePaul new arena

[JWags85]

I wonder if they tried to make a deal to rent DePaul new arena

That would be a terrible idea.  Thats 15 miles from NW's campus in Evanston, roughly the same distance as Depaul's campus to Allstate.  You would likely lose all student support due to the hour+ trip and it would have a negligible effect for alumni.  The remodel of Welsh-Ryan was a much better move.

[DegenerateDish]

It's really not hard to figure out why Northwestern is going to AllState for a year.

It's in Rosemont.

Sincerely,

The Stephens Family

[GooooMarquette]

It's really not hard to figure out why Northwestern is going to AllState for a year.

It's in Rosemont.

Sincerely,

The Stephens Family

It's Rosemont!  It's Rosemont!

[Benny B]

I thought part of the reason for the DePaul offer was that the UC owners didn't competition from the new arena.  That isn't an issue with Northwestern.

Post of the week.

[Herman Cain]

That would be a terrible idea.  Thats 15 miles from NW's campus in Evanston, roughly the same distance as Depaul's campus to Allstate.  You would likely lose all student support due to the hour+ trip and it would have a negligible effect for alumni.  The remodel of Welsh-Ryan was a much better move.

I meant just for the one season.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Fat millenials with lots of tattoos and affinities for dumb t-shirts?

Specifically, Tasmanian devil tattoos with tweetie bird tees and weathered dull-pink stretch pants?

[Sheriff]

Specifically, Tasmanian devil tattoos with tweetie bird tees and weathered dull-pink stretch pants?

With a Packers tank top.

[Brewtown Andy]

The reality is that there are only two teams that play all of their home games at an NBA stadium. Us and Georgetown. Makes us unique but playing in an NBA arena isn't usually the best option for a college team.

And you can make a very serious argument that it's a bad idea for Georgetown.

[GooooMarquette]

And you can make a very serious argument that it's a bad idea for Georgetown.

Do they have a viable alternative?  Their on campus gym only holds 2,500, and gyms at other local schools (if they could even use them) are only in the 3,000-5,000 range.  Even with their recent down seasons, GTown has averaged 8,500-9,500 per game.