Does a Bucks Run = BC changes?

[APieperFan3]

Does the Bucks doing well in the playoffs do anything for the BC...and in turn, do anything for MU?

ie Bring in more money to get the BC 'patched up' (for lack of a better term) and add closer seating, new jumbotron, etc...that would directly benefit Marquette

Perhaps that is a little selfish, but I'm not a huge fan of NBA basketball as a whole...however, being an avid Wisco sports fan (which does NOT, by any stretch of the imagination include the BADgers)...would be all for the Bucks making a little run.

[brewcity77]

In all honesty, I doubt it. Even if they won a championship this year, the funds needed are just too much. To see that kind of change would require sustained success, but I don't even really remember anything major when the Bucks Big 3 were playing (Allen, Big Dog, Cassell).

Right now, the renovations that they say are needed would take $23 million, and the state is willing to kick in $5 million of that. Where the rest comes from is anyone's guess, but as the Bradley Center is effectively autonomous of the Bucks, it's not necessarily going to come out of their pockets, or come from their success. Successfully hosting NCAA events, such as the Tourney or the Frozen Four, concerts, WWE events, conventions, and getting all of those things more frequently and drawing attendance to increase building revenue will have to play a major part.

The biggest boost would potentially be public support, but considering the number of people still bitter over there never being a Miller Park referendum, I guarantee you it would have to be voted in, and I also guarantee it would be voted down. If the Bucks are going to get it done, Brandon Jennings has to become a superstar, Bogut has to stay healthy, and they have to win an NBA title in 2-3 years. That might get you the public votes.

It's odd...maybe just tells me I'm getting a bit older (still in denial at 33) but remembering the MECCA, the BC still seems like a pretty solid venue. I was amazed to learn that it's now the 3rd oldest in the NBA (tied with the Palace and ARCO) with the Nets leaving the Izod Center. Well, here's hoping they find the money somewhere.

[Brewtown Andy]

It's odd...maybe just tells me I'm getting a bit older (still in denial at 33) but remembering the MECCA, the BC still seems like a pretty solid venue. I was amazed to learn that it's now the 3rd oldest in the NBA (tied with the Palace and ARCO) with the Nets leaving the Izod Center. Well, here's hoping they find the money somewhere.

MSG.

[GGGG]

He knows MSG is older.  It is tied for third with the Palace and Arco behind MSG and Izod.

I think the problem is that the people of Milwaukee don't understand the problems with the BC.  It certainly doesn't look or feel old.  They have kept it nice.  The MECCA felt old...County Stadium felt old...the pre-renovation Lambeau felt old.  The BC doesn't.  Any sort of referendum would just fail miserably.  I would have hoped that they could just extend the Miller Park tax, but that's probably not feasible either.

On a side note, I remember back 20+ years ago when I first walked into the BC and thought "OMG!!!  Escalators in a sports stadium!!??!!!"   

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

It was the 90s the last time I was inside the BC.  Out of curiousity what are the problems with the BC?

[GGGG]

It was the 90s the last time I was inside the BC.  Out of curiousity what are the problems with the BC?

It doesn't generate enough revenue.  Too few luxury boxes and no restaurants, etc.  on the inside.  For instance, when the Thunder moved to OKC, they upgraded the Ford Center to add more suites and some restaurants that are open all the time.

[Hards Alumni]

It doesn't generate enough revenue.  Too few luxury boxes and no restaurants, etc.  on the inside.  For instance, when the Thunder moved to OKC, they upgraded the Ford Center to add more suites and some restaurants that are open all the time.

This.

Also, I didn't realize that the Palace was that old.  I was there back in March, and I thought that place was pretty nice.  Definitely more going on than the BC.

[GGGG]

The Palace was ahead of its time when it came to arenas.  They definately had more foresight than the people who designed the BC.

[GoldenWarrior]

No, unfortunately

[cheebs09]

Didn't someone say that they are getting a new scoreboard for next year?

[goodgreatgrand]

Does the Bucks doing well in the playoffs do anything for the BC...and in turn, do anything for MU?

Does not selling out the BC for 2 playoff games help the cause? Actually, I know they had trouble with the first game but Im not sure about the second home game...

[T-Bone]

The Bucks making a run helps the controlling organization of the BC (not sure who it is, or if it's incorporated as itself) turn a profit. 
I'm sure there are certain maintenance/upgrade clauses in the contract with the Bucks and the other teams.  I think it would require there to be a viable alternative for the Bucks to consider at contract expiration that would force the BC's hand (or public funding - which ain't happening for a while).

Problems with the BC:
- Row depth.  Being 5-10 my knees are on the seat back in front of me. 
- Beer lines at half, which is true everywhere. 
- The nosebleeds are bad.  Fortunately I haven't sat there in a while.  But this could also be said of just about everywhere.

Other than that, no complaints. 

[Gwaki]

Didn't someone say that they are getting a new scoreboard for next year?

Yes they are getting a new jumbotron for next year

[Chicago_inferiority_complexes]

It doesn't generate enough revenue.  Too few luxury boxes and no restaurants, etc.  on the inside.  For instance, when the Thunder moved to OKC, they upgraded the Ford Center to add more suites and some restaurants that are open all the time.

Not sure I understand this argument. Sure, it doesn't generate enough revenue. But would more luxury boxes and restaurants necessarily add revenue? That would assume they would be filled. Are the luxury boxes right now packed to the gills, suggesting more boxes are needed to meet more demand? Also, how are the existing restaurants around the BC doing? I remember Gametime closing within the last year or so. Something tells me the supply is meeting existing demand on that front, too.

[Hards Alumni]

Not sure I understand this argument. Sure, it doesn't generate enough revenue. But would more luxury boxes and restaurants necessarily add revenue? That would assume they would be filled. Are the luxury boxes right now packed to the gills, suggesting more boxes are needed to meet more demand? Also, how are the existing restaurants around the BC doing? I remember Gametime closing within the last year or so. Something tells me the supply is meeting existing demand on that front, too.

Gametime is reopened under a new name.

[GGGG]

Not sure I understand this argument. Sure, it doesn't generate enough revenue. But would more luxury boxes and restaurants necessarily add revenue? That would assume they would be filled. Are the luxury boxes right now packed to the gills, suggesting more boxes are needed to meet more demand? Also, how are the existing restaurants around the BC doing? I remember Gametime closing within the last year or so. Something tells me the supply is meeting existing demand on that front, too.

Yes, the luxury boxes and restaurants would add revenue.  How much revenue and the supply/demand issues I don't really know enough to comment on.

[TheButlerDidIt]

Gametime is reopened under a new name.

It's Center Court now. The food is sneakily good.

[brewcity77]

MSG.

Umm...yeah. Madison Square Garden and Oracle Arena in Oakland are #1 and #2. Izod was #3, but the Nets are moving out now that their season is done (still technically #3 because the season isn't over, but it won't see any more NBA games). The BC opened in 1988, the same year as the Palace and ARCO, making it tied for third oldest.

[Litehouse]

Oracle in Oakland was completely gutted and renovated inside, so it's tough to count that as older.  There were also a few that opened a year after the BC, like Orlando and Minnesota.

[bma725]

MSG had a $200 Million renovation in 1991, and they are doing a $500 Million renovation next year.  Tough to call it an old arena when they've spent that much money changing it.

[martyconlonontherun]

Does not selling out the BC for 2 playoff games help the cause? Actually, I know they had trouble with the first game but Im not sure about the second home game...

I'm pretty sure both games were sold out. Game 6 sold out by Wednesday night despite not going on sale til late Monday.

[brewcity77]

Oracle in Oakland was completely gutted and renovated inside, so it's tough to count that as older.  There were also a few that opened a year after the BC, like Orlando and Minnesota.

Well, I was talking more about the age of the BC not seeming that old to me because I remember going to events there in its inaugural year, which is just as much an indictment of my own aging as it is for the BC. But as far as recognized arenas, Oracle and MSG are the only two that have been active in the same basic building longer than the BC as far as NBA venues. That both have had renovations shows clearly that the BC is getting outdated.

But back on topic, I can't really see the Bucks success directly contributing to a renovation. The money has to come from somewhere, but it won't be from this year's NBA playoffs.

[Litehouse]

The crazy thing to me is that Charlotte and Miami have each built TWO arenas since the Bradley Center opened.

[scowwarrior]

The State Building Committee Just Designated $5 Million for renovation of BC.

http://www.doa.wi.gov/meetings_notes.asp?thismeeting=1290

[T-Bone]

Not exactly renovation:

"Request release of $5,000,000 General Fund Supported Borrowing to assist in the capital maintenance and repair of the Bradley Center in accordance with provisions of 2009 Wisconsin Act 28."

And 5 mill wouldn't buy much in a renovation.