What is going on at Red Wings arena site?

**EGrant** · October-09-18, 08:47 AM

Now they are going to change all the red seats to black. Seems like a band-aid solution to a bigger problem?

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/2018/10/08/little-caesars-arena-red-seats-lower-bowl-attendance/1573228002/

**mkhopper** · October-09-18, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by EGrant

Now they are going to change all the red seats to black. Seems like a band-aid solution to a bigger problem?

This just seems like such a bad move.
I would think that having all black seats will make the bowl seem very dark and uninviting.
Also another problem I read about in another forum... Having all black seats could create a possible sight issue for goalies where it could be harder to pick up the puck on long, above the boards dump ins.

I honestly wonder if any thought at all went into this decision.

**401don** · October-09-18, 11:54 AM

Maybe they could just remove half the seats and put in bars for all those people who prefer standing around drinking to watching the game. Seriously though, why not just leave half the seats red and alternate with the Pistons blue colour. I agree that black is horrible for an arena that was all about the brightness and glitz.

**CrashDummy** · October-09-18, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by mkhopper

Having all black seats could create a possible sight issue for goalies where it could be harder to pick up the puck on long, above the boards dump ins.

I honestly wonder if any thought at all went into this decision.

Ha! Someone named John just called into 97.1 saying this same thing, with hilarious results!

No, of course it doesn't make a damn bit of difference. Black, although not as common as blue red or green, is not an uncommon choice for seat color. Do they have an issue in LA with all of the fans wearing black Kings jerseys? Aren't black-out [[or white-out) dress coordinations common, especially in the playoffs?

**EGrant** · October-09-18, 01:43 PM

Both teams would have to deal with the black seats, so it could turn into an advantage for the Wings' goalies if they get used to it.

Could this have been something the Pistons and Wings agreed upon when the Pistons decided to move two years ago? That eventually they'd change the seats black? If the reason is really to hide empty seats that seems like an extremely reactionary move that completely ignores the issues with attendance for both teams.

**p1acebo** · October-09-18, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by CrashDummy

Ha! Someone named John just called into 97.1 saying this same thing, with hilarious results!

No, of course it doesn't make a damn bit of difference. Black, although not as common as blue red or green, is not an uncommon choice for seat color. Do they have an issue in LA with all of the fans wearing black Kings jerseys? Aren't black-out [[or white-out) dress coordinations common, especially in the playoffs?

Ha! I was listening too, that caller was kind of an asshole though. I think overall it is an irrelevant change for the players. 99% of the time the puck is below the glass, where it is white. So many other arenas have dark seats, it is a non issue.

**stinkytofu** · October-09-18, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by EGrant

Both teams would have to deal with the black seats, so it could turn into an advantage for the Wings' goalies if they get used to it.

Could this have been something the Pistons and Wings agreed upon when the Pistons decided to move two years ago? That eventually they'd change the seats black? If the reason is really to hide empty seats that seems like an extremely reactionary move that completely ignores the issues with attendance for both teams.

Doubtful. This seems definitely to be based on low attendance. Then again, I think this will actually look better. The bright red was just too...blunt...in my mind. Black could look sleek.

**southen** · October-09-18, 07:36 PM

If the goofballs behind a basket at an NBA game have little impact on the players hitting free throws then the black seats aren't going to do squat. Plenty of teams have black seats already and the lighting of the ice does more than enough to keep the players focus on the game.

**gumby** · October-10-18, 07:26 AM

Originally Posted by CrashDummy

Ha! Someone named John just called into 97.1 saying this same thing, with hilarious results!

No, of course it doesn't make a damn bit of difference. Black, although not as common as blue red or green, is not an uncommon choice for seat color. Do they have an issue in LA with all of the fans wearing black Kings jerseys? Aren't black-out [[or white-out) dress coordinations common, especially in the playoffs?

Lol. I was listening to that exchange. He was epically obstinate.

**CrashDummy** · October-11-18, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by gumby

Lol. I was listening to that exchange. He was epically obstinate.

Was this John guy that called in Jonathan Bernier? So funny how this stuff becomes viral. How many Freep writers are reading DetroitYes, anyway?

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/n...ts/1602040002/

Did this ever come up when the Capitals arena switched to black seats? I can't find any evidence of that, but there are some fans that lamented that they didn't get red seats! Ha!

https://russianmachineneverbreaks.co...tal-one-arena/

**dtowncitylover** · October-16-18, 03:43 PM

A slightly critical article from the Free Pres...

https://www.freep.com/story/news/loc...sApMF221ICFiSw

And two of our own were quoted.

You wonder when the Illitches are gonna realize the public is starting to laugh at them...

**EGrant** · October-16-18, 03:48 PM

"While the "Neighborhoods" tab is gone, a new tab has been added: "Parking.""

If that doesn't sum everything up, I don't know what does.

**Zads07** · October-16-18, 03:53 PM

Thank you to Allie Gross and the Free Press for finally holding this company accountable.

**bust** · October-16-18, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by EGrant

"While the "Neighborhoods" tab is gone, a new tab has been added: "Parking.""

If that doesn't sum everything up, I don't know what does.

Hah. You got that right!

Good thing there is the internet archive to save for posterity all their ridiculous PR BS:

The Neighborhoods:

Columbia Street
https://web.archive.org/web/20160901...olumbia-street

Columbia Park
https://web.archive.org/web/20160825.../columbia-park

Woodward Square
https://web.archive.org/web/20160811...oodward-square

Wildcat Corner
https://web.archive.org/web/20160725...wildcat-corner

And my favorite, Cass Park Village:
https://web.archive.org/web/20160719...s-park-village

**JonWylie** · January-15-19, 08:33 PM

Large white tarps have now gone up over the two developments in the back of the LCA site, near Henry St. This probably doesn't mean anything, but if anyone has any expertise in the area or any inside information let us know.

**EGrant** · January-19-19, 12:32 PM

Here's a photo of the previously mentioned two unfinished buildings next to the LCA now wrapped in white plastic. Name: LCA.jpg
Views: 902
Size: 54.8 KB

Not sure if this means construction will finally continue, this is weatherproofing, or a vain attempt to cover up the lack of progress.

Name: LCAMap.jpg
Views: 836
Size: 103.2 KB

Name: LCAMap.jpg
Views: 836
Size: 103.2 KB

**K-slice** · January-19-19, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by EGrant

Here's a photo of the previously mentioned two unfinished buildings next to the LCA now wrapped in white plastic. Name: LCA.jpg
Views: 902
Size: 54.8 KB

Not sure if this means construction will finally continue, this is weatherproofing, or a vain attempt to cover up the lack of progress.

Name: LCAMap.jpg
Views: 836
Size: 103.2 KB

I would guess the latter.

**SammyS** · January-19-19, 02:06 PM

Speaking of which, LCA was the 3rd most attended arena in the US and 6th in the world. Not bad for its first year.
https://www.pollstar.com/Chart/2018/...Venues_702.pdf

**EGrant** · January-19-19, 02:30 PM

Including a sold-out R. Kelly show!

**NSortzi** · January-19-19, 03:33 PM

White tarps have also been installed along the cornice line of The Alhambra.

**401don** · January-19-19, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by SammyS

Speaking of which, LCA was the 3rd most attended arena in the US and 6th in the world. Not bad for its first year.
https://www.pollstar.com/Chart/2018/...Venues_702.pdf

Those numbers obviously exclude sporting events.

**EGrant** · January-20-19, 07:51 AM

Originally Posted by 401don

Those numbers obviously exclude sporting events.

I don't think so. Currently, the Wings are claiming 97.6% sold for this season and the Pistons are at 76%. Obviously, those numbers are the result of some extremely creative math, as neither team can sell out games. But I'd assume they are included.

**401don** · January-20-19, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by EGrant

I don't think so. Currently, the Wings are claiming 97.6% sold for this season and the Pistons are at 76%. Obviously, those numbers are the result of some extremely creative math, as neither team can sell out games. But I'd assume they are included.

If you look at those numbers they look very low even excluding sporting events. Toronto, at 492,00, would only be about 25 concerts in a year. One team draws 800,000.

**SammyS** · January-20-19, 11:52 AM

Numbers do not include sporting events
https://www.crainsdetroit.com/entert...ed-arena-world

**stasu1213** · January-21-19, 01:02 PM

If the arena want sell out crowds as the Palace had there need to be arrangments made for free parking or shuttle busses that will pick up fans at park in ride participating parking lots throughout the city and nearby suburbs to the arena itself. I think that the issue is parking. The meters are too expensive and who want to park at a meter or zone then have to get up in the middle of the game to feed the meter so that you wont end up with an expensive ticket. I think that the Illitiches should invest in shuttle busses that would take fans from a certain pickup point to the arena. You will see an increase in attendance.