Observations about games at the Al

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

TAMU

I am quite certain that the discussions have been more than just throwing out the idea. It would not surprise one bit if MU had their own arena in next 5-7 years.

I am quite certain that you are correct. I would also not be surprised

[jsglow]

jsglow

I understand your opinion on an on campus facility and not sure on my thoughts. I have heard over the past year or so that there has been a fair amount of discussion on this topic. IMO, possibly having their own facility and playing 3-4 games at the new arena might be a solid idea. I see the Buck's ownership becoming even worse over the next several years. They are smart guys and I believe are going to bringing in big ticket shows/events far more than the BC ever dreamed of. I would not trust them as far as I could throw them.

I don't trust them either.  But I think the likelihood that they find a way to flip the franchise and buy-out the lease is many times the likelihood that they literally price MU out of the market and force construction.  And THEN wouldn't we look stupid with an empty nearly brand spakin' new Chaluparena sitting there and MU dumpin' in $200 large for an inferior building 6 blocks closer.

There may come a day when the next mayor sets our rent at $10 a game.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Why would it only be 19 dates a year? I'm pretty sure most basketball stadiums cater to multiple teams,  sports,  and events.

Close the Mecca and there will be plenty of events looking for a home.

Yep.  And I laid out that scenario here 3-4 months ago.  The land bridge is all there, and tearing down the Mecca to expand and connect the new arena on the north and the MU Benny Dome on the South has a clear path for mega conventions.

[cheebs09]

How easy would it be to close the MECCA? Between UWM and the Admirals, I don't think it would be all that easy. There was big pushback when the new Bucks arena was going to wipe that out. I doubt there would be ice at the MU stadium. Or that they'd let the Wave and UWM use it.

[Marcus92]

The Bucks need Marquette as much as we need their arena. Who else is going to fill 18 dates a year and sell 14,000 tickets a game? It's in their best interest for MU to be a happy tenant.

[jsglow]

The Bucks need Marquette as much as we need their arena. Who else is going to fill 18 dates a year and sell 14,000 tickets a game? It's in their best interest for MU to be a happy tenant.

Yep.  It's just unfortunate that the university leadership didn't fully appreciate that the transaction between the Bucks and MU would be 'arms length'.  That had never happened before.

[GGGG]

Aren't the MECCA and the new arena under control of the same quasi-governmental entity?  If so, that gives them a lot of control over both entities and a better understanding of what events can be held where.

Yeah the Bucks need Marquette, but they know they have MU over a barrel right now.  Things may change if MU announces their own arena but as for now MU doesn't have much leverage.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

How easy would it be to close the MECCA? Between UWM and the Admirals, I don't think it would be all that easy. There was big pushback when the new Bucks arena was going to wipe that out. I doubt there would be ice at the MU stadium. Or that they'd let the Wave and UWM use it.

I think there would definitely be ice and they would love the Admirals and Wave to play there. Maybe even UWM too!

And I've always been a college hockey fan...

[jsglow]

I think there would definitely be ice and they would love the Admirals and Wave to play there. Maybe even UWM too!

And I've always been a college hockey fan...

Great, then we're back to crappy sight lines and are playing in our version of the Allstate arena.  Super.  Count me in.  NOT.

[Loose Cannon]

It would only happen if the economics make sense. I think there is a situation where they do

Yep, 100% misses if your not Shooting.

[Eldon]

Aren't the MECCA and the new arena under control of the same quasi-governmental entity?  If so, that gives them a lot of control over both entities and a better understanding of what events can be held where.

Yeah the Bucks need Marquette, but they know they have MU over a barrel right now.  Things may change if MU announces their own arena but as for now MU doesn't have much leverage.

I didn't follow the arena discussions all that closely, but what prevented MU from getting off the barrel and saying "hey, you know what?  I'm taking my business across the street (to the MECCA)"

If the answer to your first question is "yes," then I suppose that answers my question.

[warriorchick]

The Bucks need Marquette as much as we need their arena. Who else is going to fill 18 dates a year and sell 14,000 tickets a game? It's in their best interest for MU to be a happy tenant.

My guess is that if Marquette ever  serious about building a new arena, the Bucks owners would suddenly be willing to renegotiate to a deal we could live with.

That means an on-campus arena would probably never get built one way or the other; Marquette would just waste a crap-ton of money to get far enough into the project that the Bucks would take them seriously.

[GGGG]

I didn't follow the arena discussions all that closely, but what prevented MU from getting off the barrel and saying "hey, you know what?  I'm taking my business across the street (to the MECCA)"

If the answer to your first question is "yes," then I suppose that answers my question.

That and it's not considered big enough, it has the name of another D1 university on the door, and it would be perceived as a gigantic step-down.

[Goose]

Marcus

I disagree on the Bucks and MU needing each other. First off, you do not hold a "partner" hostage. IMO, the Buck's will take advantage of MU for as long as they can. I am VERY excited about the new arena and have said countless times playing in NBA arena is a positive for recruiting. That said, I actually would love to see an on site MU facility and believe it would be a great investment for the University.

[MUfan12]

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't know if MU had to negotiate with the Bucks before this year. I thought they worked with the BC directly.

Gonna be about a $25k per game increase in rent in the new place. It's a big spike, but rent at the BC was flat for a long time.

[Marcus92]

Marquette wants as strong of a relationship with the Bucks as possible. It goes beyond just the financial particulars of the lease. Playing in a state-of-the-art NBA arena is a draw for both recruits and fans. That has real value to the MU program. There are also connections between the players; someone I talked to yesterday mentioned that Markus goes to the same barber as Giannis.

MU basketball left the MECCA for good reason. I don't see a good reason why we'd ever go back.

[brewcity77]

I don't trust them either.  But I think the likelihood that they find a way to flip the franchise and buy-out the lease is many times the likelihood that they literally price MU out of the market and force construction.  And THEN wouldn't we look stupid with an empty nearly brand spakin' new Chaluparena sitting there and MU dumpin' in $200 large for an inferior building 6 blocks closer.

There may come a day when the next mayor sets our rent at $10 a game.

If wishes were fishes then beggars would feast. If we have control over our own building, we don't have to worry about those possibilities. Could it get exponentially better? Sure. It could also get exponentially worse. If MU has the control, they don't have to worry about the winds of political or NBA franchise fortune.

[mu03eng]

I will never understand the this desire to forgo the current situation to have an on-campus arena. Can we name one program that has built an on-campus arena where there was no tradition of one before? Especially a program that has access to an NBA arena as it's primary arena?

Don't say Villanova, they've had the Pavilion for years.

[Marcus92]

I disagree on the Bucks and MU needing each other. First off, you do not hold a "partner" hostage. IMO, the Buck's will take advantage of MU for as long as they can. I am VERY excited about the new arena and have said countless times playing in NBA arena is a positive for recruiting. That said, I actually would love to see an on site MU facility and believe it would be a great investment for the University.

How are the Bucks taking advantage of Marquette and holding the basketball program hostage? Not trying to be combative; I honestly don't know the details on how the lease negotiations were substantially different than in the past. If both parties to any business agreement aren't happy, market economics suggest that will ultimately turn out to be a poor long-term decision by the Bucks. Would appreciate any insight you can share.

[Goose]

Marcus

Wait until you see your tickets price is next year and then you will understand. IMO, the Buck's do not need MU at this point. These are smart guys that are going to market the arena and entertainment district to max capacity. It is going to be a great venue for major artists and shows.


MUfan

What is current lease per game?

[Litehouse]

I will never understand the this desire to forgo the current situation to have an on-campus arena. Can we name one program that has built an on-campus arena where there was no tradition of one before? Especially a program that has access to an NBA arena as it's primary arena?

Don't say Villanova, they've had the Pavilion for years.

I completely agree with you.  SLU is the only example I can think of with the Scottrade Center, but that wasn't technically an NBA arena.  Maybe Xavier, although they played at the Cincinnati Gardens before the Cintas, and the US Bank Arena is there, but not a great option.

[MUfan12]

MUfan

What is current lease per game?

$29,000

[Litehouse]

$29,000

And the Bucks keep all the concession revenue.  MU only gets ticket sales.

[GGGG]

I will never understand the this desire to forgo the current situation to have an on-campus arena. Can we name one program that has built an on-campus arena where there was no tradition of one before? Especially a program that has access to an NBA arena as it's primary arena?

Don't say Villanova, they've had the Pavilion for years.

SLU opened Chaifetz in 2008.  Before that they were playing in the arena that the St. Louis Blues play in.

USC opened the Galen Center in 2006.  Prior to that they played in the LA Arena, which was the original home of the LA Lakers prior to the Forum and the home of the Clippers prior to Staples.

UNCC opened Halton Arena in the mid 1990s.  They played at the Charlotte Colisium prior to that.

Miami (FL) opened the Watsco Center in 2003.  They played in the Miami Arena prior to that.

Cincinnati opened the Fifth Third Arena in 1989.  Prior to that they played in the old Riverfront Coliseum. 

I'm sure there are others.

[brewcity77]

I will never understand the this desire to forgo the current situation to have an on-campus arena. Can we name one program that has built an on-campus arena where there was no tradition of one before? Especially a program that has access to an NBA arena as it's primary arena?

Don't say Villanova, they've had the Pavilion for years.

The Bucks ownership was able to hold our feet to the fire because there was no other option. In 7 years, their leverage will only increase. When Kohl was in charge, we got a sweetheart deal but have since lost that level of control. I don't view it as forgoing the current situation but rather creating a new situation that will be to our advantage.

I believe only three other programs play in NBA arenas. The aforementioned Villanova, us, Georgetown, and Memphis. We are unquestionably in the best situation of the three because of the proximity to campus and the loyalty of the fanbase. I don't know what Georgetown's complete situation is, but we have talked ad nauseum about their distance from campus, low attendance figures, and Casual Hoya has spent plenty of time discussing the downward trends.

Memphis may not be able to afford to pay their rent because their situation is so bad. Yes, the decline of the program doesn't help and being 7 miles from campus probably hurts, but that situation isn't good.

When I look at it, the question is if we want to be at the whim of the new Bucks ownership or if we want a situation we can control going forward.