Why Are Arenas Abandoned By Sports Teams Thriving?

[@steveralston8837]

Unlike the Coliseum, Oakland Arena actually has had major renovations. Which is part of why it's still in great shape.

[@diosaesme]

But mount davis is good for football but we know how that oak franchise story ended.😢

[@bobbywysing47]

I pass by Oakland Arena frequently and it hosts events all the time. It’s the only big arena in the East Bay. @ Depressed Ginger should watch this video. He thinks the Arena is going to close.

[@wilderac2250]

I swear DG just be talking just to talking sometimes. If he thinks an arena is ugly he automatically thinks it needs to be replaced despite the fact the facility is still in its prime. Just look at his opinions on the Delta center in Utah.

[@patmanbnl]

DG needs to learn a lot and not just recite Wikipedia for his videos.

[@jordanjohnson9866]

Nah. Not “He thinks the Arena is going to close.” /

[@PrinceRoyceFan667]

That dude never leaves his bedroom 😂

[@blue06lt]

DG is a disgrace to KZbin and hopefully he will get deplatformed sooner rather than later.

[@alk61695]

The LA Forum is also doing well as a music only arena. Meanwhile on Long Island, Nassau Coliseum has not had any success when the Islanders moved out and UBS Arena opened.

[@thetouchback]

Nassau Coliseum got kind of screwed when six months or so after finishing that $180 million renovation in 2017, the Islanders announced UBS Arena. I know Long Island is big in terms of population but it probably doesn't need three major arenas (Barclays Center).

[@alk61695]

@@thetouchback It is a shame. I prefer the Coliseum over all the other area venues, especially over Barclays Center.

[@thetouchback]

@@alk61695 I didn't think the Barclays Center was anything special when I went a few years back. I have always wanted to go to Nassau Coliseum (I'm fascinated by those early 80s Islanders teams) but nothing is happening there when I've been in New York.

[@alk61695]

@@thetouchback I never liked the Barclays Center. Especially for hockey games. Yeah the only events that take place at the Coliseum these days are minor league basketball, and a NLL team which just announced that they're moving to Ottawa at the end of this season.

[@vb2324]

The Nassau Colliseum's problem is its too close to the newer nicer UBS arena in a NYC Metro saturated with arenas. The management for Barclay's Center shot themselves in the foot bc they were in charge of reno of the coliseum and they lowered the # of seats below NHL standards (13ish thousand). If they didn't do that Islanders could permanently moved back and UBS never built. BTW disagree I really like Barclay's it just wasn't made for hockey. The place is tailor made for basketball. Not a bad seat in the house.

[@JuanNunez2023]

Mana are like the U2 of the spanish speaking world. One of the biggest rock bands in the world for decades.

[@thetouchback]

I've got nothing but respect for them based on their tour scheduling and their ability to constantly play arenas.

[@JoeVideoed]

@@thetouchback I heard of them via Carlos Santana. They were 1 of the many guests he had on "Supernatural" back in the late 90s.

[@MrSchimpf]

The Milwaukee, or Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panther Arena (formerly MECCA) hasn't had the Bucks outside one game since 1989 and outlasted the Bradley Center and still hosts the Admirals; it does really good with smaller events and bands that really don't need all the bells and whistles Fiserv Forum provides, and still has a solid seating layout and infrastructure. I like that it still thrives even without a major league team.

[@thetouchback]

I though it was really cool when the Bucks played a game at the MECCA as part of their anniversary season a while back.

[@NatureB3]

CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore which doesn't have any sports teams in it is thriving as a concert venue. It just underwent a privately funded $200 - $250 million-dollar renovation and is one of the top grossing venues under 15,000 seats in the world.

[@thetouchback]

I walked by CFG when I was in Baltimore last year and that is nice looking facility from the outside.

[@NatureB3]

@@thetouchback Much better on the inside. If you've been in it before. It's totally different than what you remember. All the food stands are now on the 3rd & 4th floor instead of the 2nd floor. You have to go to a couple of shows to get used to the new layout.

[@mohammedkhaleel7542]

The palace of auburn hills shouldn’t have been abandoned in the first place

[@samsoniteman]

agreed

[@Mo-MuttMusic]

Thanks for sharing. We had this happen here in the Greater Kansas City area. If memory serves, it was roughly 40 years ago that the Kings left Kansas City for Sacramento. Kemper Arena, the building they called home, ended up being used for concerts, indoor soccer, etc. Several years ago, it became Hy-Vee Arena and was renovated into basically a rec center, with three levels of courts for basketball and pickleball, and some rented out business offices. So, yes, abandoned arenas are still useful. Shawn R., Mo-Mutt Music/Sacred & Secular (and sports fan)

[@PCSPounder]

Not to mention that the more modern Sprint Center has made money more years than not… without a major sports tenant.

[@Mo-MuttMusic]

Touche, @@PCSPounder

[@neneshubby]

I went to several concerts last year at the Oakland Arena. I couldn’t afford to go to Warriors games. Someday cities are going to finally realize the only people that really profit from areas and stadiums are the owners.

[@AZLANKHAN003]

The Sprint Center in Kansas City is another example. It was built like 20 years ago with no major professional tenant and still does well because of concerts and events. If they got an NBA or NHL team... It's not gonna make a difference for the arena.

[@MCB13132]

Hell they’d probably be worse off lol

[@ivannevarez8478]

The truth is that the Oakland Arena is better built than many newer arenas. I went to the new Golden 1 center in Sacramento when it first came out and let me tell you the newer arena maybe bigger but the Oakland Arena is much nicer it just seems like it was built better. Along with the renovations that happened.

[@jonathanwoods3136]

From what I heard in Glendale the surrounding businesses have taken a huge hit with the coyotes leaving. I’m not exactly sure how they’re getting more business now losing 45-ish event days a year. Of course there’s more opportunity to hold events but teams really are such a driving force to making money even if their value or attendance isn’t the greatest.

[@PCSPounder]

There’s been at least one study saying those businesses were doing worse on Coyotes game nights. Glendale’s complex does have an issue in that it isn’t convenient to most of greater Phoenix, and better transit is only a recent arrival to greater Phoenix. Oakland’s arena is right on BART. Both of the Kansas City arenas are somewhat centrally located. Location does matter.

[@JoeVideoed]

@@PCSPounder I grew up in Phoenix & did 2 tours of duty there. So I feel I'm able to best describe the sitch there, but there's a lot to unpack. #1: When Jerry Colangelo owned both the Suns & Diamondbacks and wanted new places for both he chose downtown as the spot. That meant demolishing warehouses that artist collectives were trying to make something of. They raised holy hell when they were kicked out due to eminent domain put on them by the city & it left a bad taste in citizens mouths (along w/ the new tax on rental cars to pay for the baseball park). #2: Anytime freeways were built thru neighborhoods, that raised a stink too. In my 2nd time there after my divorce, I lived in a hood that was originally targeted for bulldozing for the Paradise freeway (which supposed to relieve traffic tie ups on both Camelback & Indian School Roads). The citizens who lived there fought like crazy to keep the project from happening & succeeded. #3: W/ #s 1 & 2 in mind Glendale decided on the path of least resistance when they wanted both the Cardinals & Coyotes to reside there, so they purchased some cotton fields on the far west side of town to build both (put your corporate name here) Stadium & (put your corporate name here) Arena. They're both are part of the Westgate Entertainment neighborhood which has a mammoth movie theater complex in addition to the usual sports themed bars/restaurants, mall-type shops & 5 relatively new hotels. Naturally 2 years after the complex was built the Great Recession happened & then once the area started really swinging Covid happened. It's no surprise as a result the area would take a hit. #4: The whole megacomplex is off the Loop 101 so if you have a car & plan accordingly, you can have yourself a time, but yeah it's not ideal if you live in the far East Valley & want to do anything there (Phoenix Metro was expanded on w/ autos in mind). The light rail only goes to 19th Avenue on the west side of Phoenix & from there you have to take the 70 bus to get to the north side of the complex via Glendale Ave (don't know how late that runs these days).

[@JL-sm6cg]

@@JoeVideoed The only reason Gila River Arena was built was because the downtown arena wasn't built with hockey in mind, and it was a mess trying to squeeze a hockey rink in there. If the Coyotes weren't a dumpster fire that needs to pack their bags and hit the road to greener pastures, I would say the downtown arena could go through a renovation period where they could allow both to work in there.

[@low_key_f_key3237]

Very informative, I did not know that a lot of quote unquote "abandoned" arenas are doing well!

[@jameschawkinsart]

People tend to refer to the Coliseum being dead more than Oracle... Oracle has always had banners for new shows since the Dubs left.

[@jameschawkinsart]

But yes, Oracle definitely saves turn over / conversion time adding and removing the court + paying crews to do this work overnight (which is usually automatic over and/or double time).

[@marblox9300]

When this joint opened I think it was called Oakland Alemeda County Coliseum Arena and was primarily to get an NHL franchise which became the California Golden Seals/Oakland Seals. I wish this along with the Atlanta Flames and Minnesota North Stars were still NHL names.

[@sygonsen4925]

The Flames are a current NHL team name...

[@marblox9300]

@@sygonsen4925 Not Atlanta Flames.

[@ravespartalive6496]

Thanks for mentioning Mana. I looked them up and I absolutely love their music. Refreshing and romantic. Thank you!

[@TysonIke]

Unfortunately this doesn’t always work in smaller markets. Sleep train area is likely on the way out.

[@vamoscruceros]

Sleep Train Arena has already been demolished. A hospital and medical school are being built on that site.

[@javianjohnson8746]

I absolutely LOBE that Oracle Arena is still going strong! I understand why the Warriors felt the need to build a new arena that was more technologically advanced, but I never thought that Oracle was a dying building. This is proven even more since next year the NBA All Star game is in SF and Oracle will be used for a few events during the weekend

[@QuietRefl4378]

Well done. Thanks for putting this video together.

[@leonb2637]

Some indoor arenas do get repurposed but not always in the hoped for way. The Meadowlands Areas, a/k/a Brenden Byrne Areana (Governor of NJ in the 1970's when the arena was proposed), Continental Airlines Arena and Izod Center, was the home of the NJ Devils, NY/NY Nets (NBA), major concerts (Bruce Springsteen was the first act when opened), Barnum and Bailey Circus, Ice shows, college basketball, college graduations, political rallies, and other events. It was quite busy into the early 2000's. However there was a huge push for political and redevelopment reasons to put a new indoor area in Newark, to become the Prudential Center. The Devils and Nets would move there, more events and concerts followed, the Nets would move to Brooklyn/Barclays Center. For a number of years, the Meadowlands Arena was lightly used. It had become to be mainly used for TV and movie productions where large sets were needed, including for the 'Law and Order' shows. It is hoped with the final opening of the American Dream shopping and entertainment mall, it could be revised for conventions, concerts and other events.

[@javianjohnson8746]

Yup. I live in Jersey and its sad to see the IZOD Center continue to rot (ironically right next to the modern MetLife Stadium and American Dream mall), knowing how big of a deal it used to be when it was Continental Airlines Arena and the Nets/Devils were making it to the finals. Prudential Center definitely is nice though

[@acalisal]

The Caps/wizards’ owners may lose ownership the downtown arena if they break their lease to the city. The city owns the land under the arena.

[@aqn1976]

Wait I did not know the reason the Coyotes are without an arena is because they were faulty on their lease payments to the Desert One Arena... If this is the case, given their credit history, who possibly could confidently want to build them a new arena in any city???

[@mjisthegoat88]

6:41 this might be one of the most infuriating things i’ve heard in a while

[@chookie669]

Same here. It's also like a confession that the usual deal is a ripoff.

[@MountainFisher]

@@chookie669 Almost every taxpayer funded stadium never delivers as promised. Only exception I can think of is Truist Park and its Battery, but Liberty Media, the Braves owner also invested heavily in the area. It is the rare exception.

[@danielmarley9922]

I think the issue is that there are too many arenas. How many does a city actually need?

[@chrisdibbern507]

Very eye opening video, I truly learned something new today.

[@frankisfunny2007]

The (now called) CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore hasn't had a team play there since the 1980s, and there's been auto races, concerts, exhibition NBA games, NCAA games, and many more since the Baltimore Bullits moved to Washington.

[@frankisfunny2007]

Correction, CFG Bank Arena had an AFL team from 2017 to 2019. The last AHL team was the Baltimore Skipjacks, which last took the ice in 1993

[@joanned8172]

You are right about the Arenas often being better off without a sports team hogging all the event money but you were wrong about one thing, the city of Oakland. Oakland really is in a bad way with crime etc, just drive its downtown and you will see. Grocery stores and chains are fleeing the city due to rampant crime. As for hockey and basketball arenas that are perfect for concerts and other events as they are climate controlled, unlike old baseball stadiums.

[@stanyamish3996]

One thing as a foreigner I'll never understand : how can politicians bow to owners to use taxpayers' money to build arenas/stadiums but the benefits will only go to owners ?

[@thetouchback]

It's a lot of quid pro quo with politicians. They approve funding for owners and team owners make donations to their campaigns.

[@kevinsandstrom5833]

I've seen many concerts at Oakland Arena and can safely say it's still a great facility

[@ulyguitarist]

It is forever called oracle arena. We will never call it Oakland Arena

[@Atyomommahouse-p2m]

Nah. It was oracle for 13 years. It was never oracle to me. I’m an Oakland native and not a warrior fan. It’s always just been the arena. Even before they changed it to the arena in 97-06. Oakland-alameda county arena from 66-96. So yea. Just the arena.

[@ecstasycalculus]

Nah, it's the Arena in Oakland

[@fevernova89]

lmao

[@volstron]

What i might also add is that the records are also post pandemic. What happens in 5 years? I hope the trend continues

[@alexschneider8494]

Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis would like a word with you lol that place is in disrepair and is downright depressing to walk through

[@overbanked]

Seems like arenas with no regular pro sports team have a better chance for success than larger stadiums like the Edward Jones Dome

[@kingmo8789]

But the Dome is currently home of the St. Louis Battlehawks in the UFL.

[@joshg1529]

That’s more if a stadium and not an arena. Stadiums are too big.

[@alexschneider8494]

@@kingmo8789 Yes, I went to multiple games for the Battlehawks last season and the dome was in disrepair and downright ugly inside lmao the seats were covered in dirt from having Monster Jam and Motocross events still

[@dannyjohnson1287]

It's called the dome of the America center now and that's a lie it's host concerts and expos ever year after the rams left. Unlike the Astrosdone it not just sitting there not being used

[@bipedalame]

My hometown of Glasgow built the Hydro in 2013 near the city centre on the banks of the Clyde. Has a capacity of 13000 seated, a bit more if standing is permitted for concerts. It has been in constant use since Rod Stewart first performed there 11 years ago. Never intended for sports even though it has held World Gymnastic Championships and high profile boxing fights. Can't wait until December when I'm going to see Slipknot

[@JL-sm6cg]

I remember living in Columbus, Ohio in 1993-94 when they were THE most boring big city in America. They were looking to build a major arena there, but according to a news story, if there was no sports team using it, they claimed it would lose over a million dollars a year or something, and if the Columbus Chill (their beloved minor-league hockey team back then) used it, it would almost break even. I'm wondering if this would've been true after all, even though building Nationwide Arena and bringing the Blue Jackets to town did revitalize a downtown that desperately NEEDED it!

[@oscarhernandez1845]

Haha don’t sleep on Mana. 😂Great video.

[@hamburglar83]

Allstate arena in Rosemont Illinois makes 3 times the profit then united center (home of the bulls and blackhawks)

[@JL-sm6cg]

That's where WWE goes to whenever they're in Chicago.

[@HolyPire]

I never understood why tax money goes into private arenas.... mindboggeling

[@lonniedalton7505]

Because the rich owners manage to convince city officials that the city needs this sports team more than the team needs the city 😂

[@abccln]

Virginia legislature is currently blocking the arena, thank God. Our idiot governor can't negotiate a deal to save his life

[@JL-sm6cg]

He's an idiot for many many reasons.

[@bri.a2k]

lol MANA are mexican rock legends. and yes Oakland arena constantly is holding events. they seem to get a stop from every kpop group touring in the us. i remember when the warriors were there, the bay area was lucky to get a stop.

[@DW3010]

I was having a bad day. I clicked on this video and saw your face and just started laughing. I’m giving you a like for that reason. Thank you so much much. 😄

[@GlazingOverUncleGary]

@DW3010 he does have quite a funny looking face 🤔

[@vladimirdoyle3934]

Oracle arena could definitely hold a nhl team. They could be even more successful with a nhl team, hockey is the easiest sport to work with.

[@rhd244]

The new building the Washington Wizards want tax payers to pay off would be a bad deal for a arena. Worst then the Cincinnati Bengals stadium for the tax payer.

[@Melted-Kuchi-kopi]

Then you have the couotes who were explicitly asked to not come back which endee up in them playing in a college arena 😂

[@JL-sm6cg]

You mean Coyotes, and yeah, they just need to pack up and move to a different market.

[@Melted-Kuchi-kopi]

@@JL-sm6cg my bad, i honestly didn't notice the horrible misspelling. I'm shocked they are still a team to begin with because I feel like I've been hearing about various issues for at least a decade. The college arena is just the cherry on top.

[@jmilb10053]

The Yum Center in Louisville never had a pro team and it is still costing the city money.

[@selfdo]

Ok, simple question: Is Oakland's "Oracle Arena" PROFITABLE? Filling it with dates/event doesn't necessarily make it money.

[@thetouchback]

Yes. The Oakland Arena had a $10 million surplus in 2022.

[@SippyCupAdventures]

Interesting take, but I ask, why hasn't ARCO Arena done the same? Is ARCO even still around?? Have they had other events in the past? I should know this.

[@bartphlegar8212]

Arco is gone. Flat. No more...

[@vamoscruceros]

In terms of population, the Sacramento metro is roughly equal to the East Bay portion of the SF-Oakland metro. Had the Warriors stayed in Oakland, then Oracle might have become redundant. With the Warriors moving to San Francisco, Oakland became a more viable option to land other events as the Warriors are no longer competing for entertainment dollars on the East Bay side of the metro, and can compete for other events throughout the much larger metro area that are displaced by the Warriors (and Sharks in San Jose). Events looking at Sacramento are still competing with the Kings for entertainment dollars in a market that is the same size as just Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Sacramento doesn't have a San Francisco-sized twin nearby.

[@seen48]

Great content. However, with only 42 home dates in a 365 day year, scheduling should not be that big of a deal…. What Washington is doing is a little suspect, but with the new arena in Virginia (I know it’s right there) maybe there’s something to this that we don’t know.

[@Slame333]

It is though, as those homes dates are spread out across the season from October til April, even more if a team makes the playoffs, making it always cumbersome to schedule around. Plus the team usually has priority over any other events coming into town, meaning they may lose out on other/more venue generating events if a tour decides to make a stop elsewhere.

[@jordanwong9719]

keep in mind with Washington they host 2 teams, so you have to have a bigger crew of arena maintenance teams to set up and tear down the Basketball and Hockey infrastructure, the labour cost alone in keeping an adequate amount of staff will add up quick

[@TheFlyingSailorYT]

The takeaway: Sports Teams are becoming nonviable.

[@elsina79]

Mana is one of Mexico's greatest rock bands.

[@Mikerizzo1987]

Our tax dollars should go to roads, schools, police/fire, some maybe to entertainment. But they go overseas and politicians pockets...

[@89volvowithlazers]

We just need to get rid of ticket master 😮

[@SSNewberry]

Why sports teams want to own. Fungibility.

[@Jeffgordonfan24hesthegoat]

(Besides the we believe 2007 year) before Stephen curry the warriors were the second most popular thing at oracle 😂

[@thetouchback]

I'll never forget going to Warriors games in the Nick Van Exel season of 2003-2004 and the loudest the crowd would get was when "Yeah" by Usher would play. I am pretty sure most folks were going to Golden State games just so they could hear that song.

[@Jeffgordonfan24hesthegoat]

@@thetouchback I bet damn 😂

[@felipenunez2058]

Mana is one of the greatest bands from mexico

[@dogcowrph]

The arena is a far cry from the Cow Palace.

[@craigtrent2410]

well done!!!

[@boybawang1981]

OMFG!! Please stop saying Mana incorrectly!!

[@jaywashington2196]

Well Glendale has a team now. The Arizona Rattlers 😂

[@rexsanchez3474]

Mana!!!

[@michaellockhart6632]

Oakland sucks. There's no pro teams.

[@RickyWatter32]

lol you ain’t been to OAKLAND Oooppppsds

[@scottduke2809]

this is great news for the arrogant social welfare owners of sports teams!

[@currybr]

Bunch of crap is an amusingly accurate description of Oakland.

[@actualdavidhenry]

Oakland is a sewer!!! That will not change at all. The arena having more flexibility and being abel to survive is a no Brainerd. People from Rockland and Gilroy will watch a concert or event in Oakland but will never buy property in that awful city.

[@CatLoverx900]

Its becoming a migrant shelter next month ❤

[@mikes7446]

fema camps

[@martintrejo1950]

Mana = mA NA