Could we see new Redwing Arena renderings wednesday [[4/9/14)?

[ABetterDetroit]

I am very much looking forward to this venue. Hockey has little to do with my excitement for this project. Though I do enjoy hockey, I only go to 4 or 5 games a season, mostly for a good reason to get downtown for some fun. What will be really exciting is seeing who Tom Wilson can get to book in a brand new state of the art arena. He has already ripped away more than half of the concert tours that used to go to the palace and put them in the Joe, impressive considering that the Joe is a dump of a place to see a concert. I go to at least 20 concerts a year with a least half a dozen of them out of state and unlike ball games and hockey a whole lot of the concert goers are from a much larger geographic pull. I know this because more often than not I stay in sold out hotels where the elevators are cramed full of people going to the show, been to the show and the same in the restaurants and bars. This new venue is without a doubt going to bring more people in Detroit for concerts, final fours, big ten tourneys and other events that gives the city a opportunity to change its reputation to a wider group people who will be able to say " I was in Detroit to see [[ insert whomever) and we had a great time!" The location and quality of the venue has a lot to do with who you can book in it. I have little doubt that this arena is going to only improve Detroits reputation with a wider audience and throw some cold cash in the hotels, restaurants and bars making Detroit more attractive as a downtown destination or as a place to live.

[MikeyinBrooklyn]

Bham,

Per wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_L...cer_attendance
Total NHL [[regular season, paid) attendance 2012-2013: 21,470,155
Total MLS [[regular season, paid) attendance 2012: 6.074,729


Incidentally, the NHL had higher total and average attendance than the NBA that year.
MLS did have 1300+ person higher average per game attendance, but that can be attributable to a number of things, including: larger venues on average [[in some cases by tens of thousands of seats), fewer games played [[17 regular season home games, as opposed to 41 for the NHL), and much lower average ticket price [[for 2013, it was $61.01 for the entire NHL; the highest single team in MLS- the Portland Timbers- had a $59 average; other MLS teams were substantially lower, but I could not find an average statistic).

Broadcast ratings are hard to determine nationally for the NHL: most games are broadcast by regional cable [[and sometimes broadcast) networks. The Red Wings, of course, consistently post the best regular season viewership in the US. Red Wings games often compete with or exceed programming on the Big 4 networks. While lower than ours for sure, NHL games garner strong regional ratings in all 30 hockey markets [[well, in fairness, there are probably 28 hockey markets, considering that 3 teams play in the NYC area). That's why the sports nets pay a fortune for those broadcast rights.

NHL national broadcasts don't set the ratings on fire, but, for the most part, neither do soccer broadcasts. Remember as well that there are dozens of hockey games every week in the regular season. Their cumulative ratings, if you researched each regional sports net's ratings, I am sure would exceed the several marquee soccer matches in total viewers. Your notion that NASCAR and even horse-racing exceed NHL viewership levels is both wrong and misleading: there are probably 4 or 5 nationally notable events on the horseracing calendar [[the Triple Crown races, Santa Anita & Travers stakes), and they have strong ratings for maybe 15 minutes each. NASCAR has a large following for several hours a dozen times a year.

Broadcasting rights are indicative of interest level and viewership, because they reflect anticipated future viewership by those in the sports, advertising, and broadcasting industries. The national MLS broadcast rights will be $90M/year starting next year. The NHL's national deal with NBC & NBCSN is $200M/year. This does not include any of the games broadcast regionally [[which is 80% of the games), which are very lucrative for the local hockey teams, and fairly negligible for most MLS teams.

You are correct if you are hinting that the NHL has a more dedicated following, and that hockey is not a sport that people casually follow like many do for the NFL or NBA. People tend to be dedicated to watching their hockey, or they don't watch at all. Not a large middle ground.

I would further suggest visiting college campuses. A great many Northern [[and Western) colleges have hockey teams. Those teams generally play in arenas with 3,000+ seats, and are packed for hockey games. I am not aware of [[although there may be some) any college soccer program with a huge following. College hockey gets substantial press coverage; the Frozen Four is televised live by ESPN. Tell me, without looking it up, which college is the NCAA soccer champ? Union College is for hockey, that I know.

Hockey is still MUCH more ingrained in US culture than soccer [[although soccer is growing wonderfully). It's pretend-land to think that it's not.

A Harris Poll released in January does list the NHL as the sixth most popular sport in the US; soccer in any form does not make the list. "Football" is broken into pro [[most popular) and college [[3rd most popular). Auto racing received 7%, the NBA 6%, and NHL 5%. That is 2% higher than college basketball. http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10...opular-mlb-2nd

The demographics and logistics of hockey fandom are different than other sports, but they are still substantial. The NHL is no danger of being an also ran league; there will, however, be ever more sports entering into the pantheon of "major" sports [[not just soccer and NASCAR, but MMA, X-games, rugby, etc). Love 'em all. Except NASCAR. Can't stand car racing. I'll save that for another post, though.

[MikeyinBrooklyn]

ABetterDetroit, I agree entirely that the arena will bring a lot more than hockey. As I have written before, I bet the arena will bring 200+ events downtown a year. Other sports, concerts, and shows of all kinds. They will bring both a lot of people- and broad variety of people- to downtown. Some will see their shows and leave. But a good chunk will spend some time and money downtown. Some of those people might even be inspired to return on a non-event day. It will be all good stuff. I am not sure those who have never been away realize how much more vibrant downtown is today than 5 or 10 years ago. It's an amazing transformation. Although we don't know the specifics yet, the arena will only add to it.

[canuck]

Excellent post about the ratings MikeyinBrooklyn!

[Bill Simpson]

I bet they will end up naming the arena after Mike Duggan. By the time the decision is made, he will have the turnaround in full swing.

They should also consider naming it after Kevyn Orr. His leadership during this dark time is deserving of an everlasting legacy after he leaves.

[MikeyinBrooklyn]

I bet they will end up naming the arena after Mike Duggan. By the time the decision is made, he will have the turnaround in full swing.

They should also consider naming it after Kevyn Orr. His leadership during this dark time is deserving of an everlasting legacy after he leaves.

I see your points, and to some extent agree [[although I largely don't believe in naming things after public officials, and certainly not when they are alive). If I had to bet, the arena will have one of 3 names:

1) Little Caesar's Arena [[the most likely name)
2) Olympia Stadium [[if they want to just go old school nostalgic)
3) Mike Ilitch Arena [[should Mr. I pass away prior to it's opening)

If it is Little Caesar's Arena, they could paint the roof to look like the top of a pizza.

[emu steve]

ABetterDetroit, I agree entirely that the arena will bring a lot more than hockey. As I have written before, I bet the arena will bring 200+ events downtown a year. Other sports, concerts, and shows of all kinds. They will bring both a lot of people- and broad variety of people- to downtown. Some will see their shows and leave. But a good chunk will spend some time and money downtown. Some of those people might even be inspired to return on a non-event day. It will be all good stuff. I am not sure those who have never been away realize how much more vibrant downtown is today than 5 or 10 years ago. It's an amazing transformation. Although we don't know the specifics yet, the arena will only add to it.

Agree with the dialog between MikeyinBrooklyn and ABetterDetroit.

I was in D.C. last night at the Verizon Center for the Wizards/Pacers.

If Detroit gets an arena comparable [[or even better, as it will be state of the art, 2016, not late 1990s) to Verizon Center, Detroit will be on its way and yes major basketball tourneys won't be afraid to come.

I don't think folks fully appreciate the buzz that a new arena [[or stadium) creates and what it attracts including all-star games.

P.S. a Lady Gaga concert had to be rescheduled, think one day, for a Wizards playoff game...

[emu steve]

I see your points, and to some extent agree [[although I largely don't believe in naming things after public officials, and certainly not when they are alive). If I had to bet, the arena will have one of 3 names:

1) Little Caesar's Arena [[the most likely name)
2) Olympia Stadium [[if they want to just go old school nostalgic)
3) Mike Ilitch Arena [[should Mr. I pass away prior to it's opening)

If it is Little Caesar's Arena, they could paint the roof to look like the top of a pizza.

I wonder about Little Caesar's Arena.

Initially they will seek 'naming rights' but why would Ilitch want to pay Ilitch for naming rights of an arena he is building.

I assume he'll ultimately hold out for a big company to buy naming rights [[insert Sam Bernstein joke here. Lol.).

[Bham1982]

Joumana Kayrouz Slip and Trip Arena

[Khorasaurus]

US Park on Middlebelt Road $8 a Day Arena

[MikeyinBrooklyn]

I wonder about Little Caesar's Arena.

Initially they will seek 'naming rights' but why would Ilitch want to pay Ilitch for naming rights of an arena he is building.

I assume he'll ultimately hold out for a big company to buy naming rights [[insert Sam Bernstein joke here. Lol.).

He wouldn't be "paying" anything at all. He would get the promotional value of having the pizza company's name on the building [[and in the press coverage of the team and events at the arena). If a different company were willing to spend big money to name it, I am sure Olympia would take it. But I couldn't figure out who would be willing to name it that either A) has a strong tie to metro Detroit, or B) great benefit to naming the arena in Detroit. I couldn't come up with one that does not currently have a major facility named after them. GM and Chrysler, perhaps, although that poses some problems for both sides [[hey, pay back the taxpayers before you name things after yourselves! Fiat Arena?). There could always be some under-the-radar company looking to make a splash that could buy the rights. But, right now, Olympia might just be smart to advertise their own brand on the building.

[ghettopalmetto]

Think of the exciting possibilities!

George Jackson Gardens
LoJack Center
The General Auto Insurance Arena
Kay Everett Memorial Hat Box
Motor City Casino Coliseum
Adamo Stadium
Better Made Arena


...and possible sponsors who have no need to advertise [[but will spend money anyway, a la DTE Energy):

U.S. Customs Arena and Detention Facility
State of Michigan Corporate Welfare Center
Ambassador Bridge Ice Palace
Detroit-Windsor Tunnel Center/Centre
Premier Parking Garage Arena
Detroit City Council Thunderdome

and finally: Ty Cobb Stadium

[TheUsualSuspect]

The possibilities are endless.

I'd eat hot-n-ready's once a week for the rest of my life if if the new arena was re-christened "Olympia Stadium" again.

Some play on Little Caesar would be understandable, but I can't see a way to make it attractive and classy.

And maybe I'm way off base, but I don't see Mr. I wanting a stadium named after himself.

The money involved in the naming of a sports venue will probably dictate [[and ruin) the opportunity for something really nice to happen. Oh well.

[motz]

Think of the exciting possibilities!

George Jackson Gardens
LoJack Center
The General Auto Insurance Arena
Kay Everett Memorial Hat Box
Motor City Casino Coliseum
Adamo Stadium
Better Made Arena


...and possible sponsors who have no need to advertise [[but will spend money anyway, a la DTE Energy):

U.S. Customs Arena and Detention Facility
State of Michigan Corporate Welfare Center
Ambassador Bridge Ice Palace
Detroit-Windsor Tunnel Center/Centre
Premier Parking Garage Arena
Detroit City Council Thunderdome

and finally: Ty Cobb Stadium

These, just all of these. Maybe open up the "Charles Pugh Center for Youth Fitness" next door too!!

[schulzte]

Let me help the soccer guy.

2012 Revenue by sport
NFL - $9.5 billion
MLB - $7.7 billion
NBA - $3.8 billion
NHL - $2.9 billion
MLS - $494 million

Sorry, soccer isn't close to hockey. Even if 40% of hockey revenue is from Canada, soccer isn't close to hockey. Total revenue is the only way to measure relative popularity of sports, because it takes tickets, all regional and national TV, corporate sponsorship, apparel, and everything into account.

[MikeyinBrooklyn]

These, just all of these. Maybe open up the "Charles Pugh Center for Youth Fitness" next door too!!

Horrible and hilarious all at once.

[MikeyinBrooklyn]

And maybe I'm way off base, but I don't see Mr. I wanting a stadium named after himself.

The money involved in the naming of a sports venue will probably dictate [[and ruin) the opportunity for something really nice to happen. Oh well.

I don't think he'd ever name it after himself. If he died before a sponsorship deal was in place, I think the family would think about it. Unfortunately, there is no permutation of Little Caesar's that sounds as good as Ford Field. I just hope whatever it's called it has a hometown connection. Olympia is my favorite, for obvious reasons. Gordie Howe Arena would also warm my heart. Original Six Stadium has a nice ring to it, too. Maybe they could do a Little Caesar's themed name like "Hockey! Hockey!". Sorry that was cheesy... bread.