OT: Saint Louis University New Arena

[CoachKJ]

Just checking out the pictures on this place.  Looks very nice.  Comparable to the facility at Xavier.  For those who have been to the facility at XU, did MU miss the boat by not building the Al large enough to be a multi-purpose facility?  I guess if we were stuck in the A-10 (or worse), a 10,000 seat arena would be acceptable.

[marqfan22]

I'm glad MU didn't, then there'd be over 9000 less fans in the building.

The BC is a mile away. That's a lot closer than your typical State U's arena to the dorms.

[ozmetal71]

I wouldn't call playing our games at an NBA arena that is a ten minute walk from campus missing the boat.  In fact, I wouldn't trade playing at the Bradley Center for anything else.  Nothing beats having a 19,000 seat arena that is next door to campus.

[Warrior1969]

Not even a building that you control?  An on campus 15,000 seat arena - I would take that!  Sure for a few games we can get 19,000 but a 15,000 place would create demand for ALL games.  I could see getting to a point of selling out a 15,000 place all the time.

[🏀]

I'd still go with the BC, even if we used it only for big games, 'Nova for example. Watching them play in the Wachovia Center hurts, decals on the floor look crappy, not to mention I'm sure it's a nightmare for their gameday staff.

[BigSky]

Teams like Nova....have too small of an on campus facility...then go big games to Wachovia Center.  They need something in the middle...but I am sure funding was the issue.

SLU needed an on campus facility...unlike MU...they have NHL hockey at the Scotttrade Center...takes longer to change on doubleheader game days.

It is not walkable to get to Scottrade Center from Campus vs MU...which is walkable. 

Obviously SLU does not have the hoops tradition, etc...success....

And, I am sure that if needed a few times a year, SLU could play in the Scottrade and sell it out...like 22k for UNC for them this year. 

SLU scraped jsut enough $$ for the Arena, not an easy sell, delayed for years....much more than twice the "Al" cost.   Where would MU have gotten the funds at the time? 

SLU has a huge endowment that dwarfs MU's(which never goes towards athletics)...but their sports budget is miniscule compared to MU's...MU's has one of highest hoops budgets in the country. 

Someone wants a 15k on campus place...who's payin'...?   ....SLU is building a 10k plus place for what $75million.  The "Al" was what $35million or so...



 

[augoman]

I still wish MU had bought the arena when the bc was built;  we sold out every game (12,000+), it was dreaded as a snake pit by opponents, we could have had it for a song, could have generated revenue by renting (uwm, concerts, conventions, etc), there isn't a bad seat in the house, and so on.  I guess my only dislike of the bc is it's more of a neutral court..., we don't get to practice there often and it's full of bucks crap, not to mention it's too light in the seats, like watching games in someones basement, as opposed to the 'stage lighting' I remember in the arena.  Maybe just fond memories....

[sailwi]

For some reason I remeber capacity at 11,052 perhaps during the UWM remodel where they took seats out so the students stand they increased the capacity.  Problem with the Arena is it is 3k too small for MU needs.  Years ago Bucks looked at increasing size by literally raising the roof and adding a second deck but it was cost prohibitive.  Interesting at the time the arguement was San Antonio had done that with an old arena (the support pillars were in front of half the lower seats) and it could work.

[Warrior1969]

If it can be done at SLu and Xavier it can be done at MU.  How did those schools get the money?  There is money and sponsors out there, it could be done.  Who would have said we would have the AL, who would have said we would be in the BE?  There are so many advantages to having your own place?  How about the Dwayne Wade Center?

[mutpm]

Both of those arenas seat 10,000.  MU would need at least 14,000 and the land to build it on.  To make any money with it, MU would have to book other events.  That would not be an easy chore with the BC and the Cell competing for business. 

[smrunner99]

I am all for the bc, i am not sure about how it was pre Crean but with the school buses and the upass it is very easy for students to get back and forth, for us alum we would have to pay parking anywhere so I would rather take the bigger arena and NBA arena for recruiting purposes

But most of all I dont think this was metioned any on campus facility cannot sell beer for NCAA events, so that pretty much seals the deal in my book.

[Warrior1969]

True, but it could be done with out a doubt!  The land could be found.  We would save a lot by not paying rent, having our choice of dates and times etc.  The thing about the places like a lot of the big ten schools arenas is there is demand for the tickets and a much more clear home court advantage with slightly smaller louder buildings etc.  MU will never be at the level of selling out the BC on a regular basis or for the whole season, but a 15.000 or so place would be perfect!

[spiral97]

oh oh oh oh oh!!!! PLUS!!! We would have room for LOTSSSSS more banners!!!!!!!!!!


How about we start with one for "We beat Rutgers" after Wednesday!

[Tommy Brice for Coach]

oh oh oh oh oh!!!! PLUS!!! We would have room for LOTSSSSS more banners!!!!!!!!!!


How about we start with one for "We beat Rutgers" after Wednesday!

Actually I'd like to see one for each CBE game we won this season - especially Idaho St.!

just kidding!!!

[nathanziarek]

I can't find it now, but I know the Bucks pay no rent to the BC, and I was under the impression that Marquette doesn't either.

I'll try to find it again, but if that is the case, then staying at the BC is a no brainer

[Warrior1969]

MU pays rent.  How would the BC make any money with the two biggest tenants not paying rent?

[Sir Lawrence]

The Bucks pay no rent at the BC. 

MU does:   "Marquette will pay $19,600 per game in rent this season, compared with $19,000 per game under its previous lease. Bradley Center officials said the lease will provide Marquette with additional advertising and revenue sponsorship opportunities. Also, the Bradley Center is renovating and expanding Marquette's locker room.

In addition, Marquette will continue to receive about $14,000 in revenue from the use of suites at its games and also will begin to receive a portion of merchandise sales. According to the lease, the first $80,000 in merchandise sales during a season will go the Bradley Center. After that threshold is met, Marquette will receive 20 percent of the proceeds of merchandise sales for the remainder of the season.

Bradley Center officials said Marquette will receive priority game dates after the Milwaukee Bucks, the building's main tenant, sets its schedule. "

link:  http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2006/10/23/daily39.html

[Warrior1969]

Imagine all the revenue going to MU.  Parking, tickets, suites, sponsorships, merchandise etc etc.  Would love to know the profit difference between the BC and a hypethitical Wade Center 

[Sir Lawrence]

I agree with Warrior1969:  and don't forget insurance, payroll for employees, maintenance, licensing for food/alcohol, (oh yea, don't forget about those on campus alcohol sales rules), and questionable revenue generation during the off season with all the other facilities in close geographic proximity. 

[Chili]

A few things on this topic.

"(oh yea, don't forget about those on campus alcohol sales rules)"

There are no rules dictated by the Big East on alcohol sales so if MU chose to they could sell beer on campus. Also, there is NCAA rule unless it is an NCAA Championship Event.


The major issue is that fact that it is not economically feasible for MU to have a large arena in Milwaukee. There are already too many arena's in Milwaukee competing for the same things. The Bradley Center Foundation is barely staying alive and the Arena group is supported by local taxes. I also do not think MU could afford the overhead additional costs of such a building in the sports business climate that is Milwaukee. I mean you would also have to hire a full time team just book acts, not to mention all of the other jobs that need to be created just to have an arena run.

Personally, we did the right thing with Al. And when a new arena is built downtown we can just move in with that. I mean being the 2nd tenant now will pay scheduling dividends now that we are ahead of the Admirals.

[Sir Lawrence]

"(oh yea, don't forget about those on campus alcohol sales rules)"

"There are no rules dictated by the Big East on alcohol sales so if MU chose to they could sell beer on campus. Also, there is no NCAA rule unless it is an NCAA Championship Event."



Chili, you are correct, sir.  I was under the impression that if it was an "on campus" facility you could not sell alcohol, but then I remembered those NCAA regional games at the BC where no beer was sold--it is indeed restricted only to "championship events."  Thanks for the correction.  And, I concur with the rest of your analysis.

[Warrior1969]

 Having there own place seems to work just fine for the vast amount of teams around the country.