Demolish the XL center | Page 9 | The Boneyard

Demolish the XL center

Imagine the optics of UConn saying “Thanks, But No Thanks” to the XL Center.

We all seem to be forgetting that the Whalers left, Mohegan and Bridgeport both built arenas, and we live right in between Boston and New York. There’s not much demand here, and what little there was is now divvied between XL, Mohegan and Webster Bank Arena.

Hartford needs the XL (more so for optics then anything at this point) and the XL needs UConn. Hartford needing the XL goes way beyond this thread and we can have a much larger discussion as to why Hartford is in the position that it’s in.

I’ve continuously said that the State of Connecticut has historically done a poor job of planning and redevelopment. We believed UConn playing football games in East Hartford and now basketball games at the XL would prop up specific communities. It has not worked.

It’s time to Invest in Storrs becoming a true college town. That will allow for interest in the university to grow even more - which result in the both increased academics and college atmosphere that we all want. It’s that increased interest in UConn that will assist in strengthen the state as a whole. The spillover and benefit from an even more dynamic UConn is what will help places like Hartford not playing a few games a year at a particular venue.
 
Kathy said:
He said they had cut back on games at Wells Fargo - they only did that because of covid last season and to keep them eligible to play there this year in the NCAA tournament. They will probably go back to more games there next season.
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I didn't know what sonic meant, thanks for clarifying.

I'll be interested in seeing if they go back to playing 5 or 6 games per season at Wells Fargo after spending $60 mil. on the on campus place.

EDIT- they probably will go back to playing 5 or 6 at Wells Fargo, Finneran is smaller than I thought.
 
Greedo said:
Eh, your point would stand if you said "I'm retired." I care about UConn's academic reputation because it's on my resume. But, that being said, there are plenty of universities with better academics than UConn with rabid fan bases. Michigan and Notre Dame for example, and a big chunk of the B1G. I don't buy the "nerds in the library" don't care about basketball argument.
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I love the dying hartford bit. UConn is very interested in making hartford successful. Not only do they have a downtown presence the seat of their funding is in Hartford. It's the capital of the state.

And I wouldn't say Hartford is dying. They have new ball park, public transport is getting improvements, the downtown area near UConn Hartford is nice and they have the music theatre.

And, apartment living and demand is booming in Central connecticutm including Hartford. City and state has problems, it isn't dying.

today.uconn.edu

Professor: Surging Demand for Housing Creates Apartment-Construction Boom in Connecticut - UConn Today

A boom in construction as demand rises, but supply chain snares and other challenges still lie ahead
today.uconn.edu today.uconn.edu
 
WingU-Conn said:
No, I mentioned one source as evidence that these schools know how to raise money. Most projects are funded through a combination of donations and financing, you know that.

You suggested the only option is to build and implied it's virtually impossible. Although DePaul, who hasn't really ever been good, found a way to make it happen with creative partnerships.

I would have expected you to know schools can renovate. And they also don't even have to pay for it themselves. Like Villanova, who found a way to raise $65 million in donations to fully fund their arena renovation.

You're suggesting the only reason to play off campus is because it's impossible to build or renovate an on campus stadium, after DePaul and Nova already have.

The schools that choose to play off campus do so because it benefits the schools and the fans in various ways.
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Lol, I didn’t suggest any of those things. Throwing out a bunch of strawman really doesn’t rehabilitate your post suggesting that private schools should use virtually all of their endowment to build an arena. Probably one of the dumber things I’ve ever heard on The Boneyard, which is saying a lot.
 
Kathy said:
He said they had cut back on games at Wells Fargo - they only did that because of covid last season and to keep them eligible to play there this year in the NCAA tournament. They will probably go back to more games there next season.
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No they won’t. They spent $65m on Finneran. They rarely use the WF now, per Jay Wright’s wishes. The results speak for themselves.
 
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BPT2Storrs said:
Imagine the optics of UConn saying “Thanks, But No Thanks” to the XL Center.
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Once people see the onerous terms UConn rejected leading to do that, there would be bad optics alright.

But they wouldn’t be on UConn’s side.
 
Hogoff said:
Villanova
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They play 3 home games in Wells Fargo, about 20% of their total home games. That's not a split. The facility is one of the better pro arenas in the NBA and NHL with a significant recent renovation. Its capacity is a 215% increase from their on-campus facility.

UConn plays 50% of its home schedule at XL. It's a minor league facility, and one of the worst in the AHL. It's had no significant renovations in decades. Its capacity is a 60% increase over Gampel.

Try again.
 
zls44 said:
Once people see the onerous terms UConn rejected leading to do that, there would be bad optics alright.

But they wouldn’t be on UConn’s side.
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Are there any financials out there? I have to imagine UConn is losing money on XL Center games. It's all about the state trying to inject what little money and life they can into downtown Hartford.
 
CL82 said:
Lol, I didn’t suggest any of those things. Throwing out a bunch of strawman really doesn’t rehabilitate your post suggesting that private schools should use virtually all of their endowment to build an arena. Probably one of the dumber things I’ve ever heard on The Boneyard, which is saying a lot.
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You've used the word "suggesting" twice.

Because you know that isn't what I wrote, so you provided your own interpretation. I didn't say they should use their endowments. I mentioned the fact schools have hundreds of millions in endowments because they know how to raise money through donations.

You can choose to frame my post however you want by using the word "suggesting". But I can return the favor.
 
@WingU-Conn - Sure you did. Here’s the sequence:

WingU-Conn said:
Why don't Seton Hall, Providence, and St. John's play all of their games on campus
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CL82 said:
Because they are small private universities that can’t afford to build a 10,000 seat on-campus arena?
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WingU-Conn said:
Or because they don't care about the on campus experience?

$240+/-, $250+/-, and $700+/- million dollar endowments at each. They can afford it.
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I get why you are running away from it now. It was a dumb statement. But here’s the thing, your new position suggesting that these three small private universities have donors in the wings waiting to pony up $175 million for an arena project really isn’t any brighter.
 
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superjohn said:
Are there any financials out there? I have to imagine UConn is losing money on XL Center games. It's all about the state trying to inject what little money and life they can into downtown Hartford.
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And once again, everything comes at the expense of the biggest asset the university has left, it's basketball program.
 
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CL82 said:
@WingU-Conn - Sure you did. Here’s the sequence:







I get why you are running away from it now. It was a dumb statement. But here’s the thing, your new position suggesting that these three small private universities have donors in the wings waiting to pony up $175 million for an arena project really isn’t any brighter.
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You’re insufferable, intentionally obtuse and not worth my time.
 
WingU-Conn said:
It's generally clear who the UConn alum are and who aren't.

Many fans are UConn fans because they got to see the team in Hartford. I was able to go to Hartford games as a child. I didn't step foot in Gampel until I was an adult because tix were near impossible to get.

And it wasn't the drive, because we'd go to games at the Fieldhouse before Gampel, and we'd go to soccer games when Morrone was coaching.

this place greatly undervalues the impact playing in Hartford has had in helping UConn become the program it is.

Why doesn't Michigan play in Detroit? Culture for one. They are in an area of the country where people don't look down their noses at State U in favor of private schools. They take pride in their state school, and have a history of athletic excellence that predates the 80s and 90s. They weren't building a program in the 80s, they were already a major athletic department thanks to their football program and huge amount of alums. (Insert Auburn for Michigan and the argument is the same).

Put plainly, they never even had to consider doing that.

Why don't Seton Hall, Providence, and St. John's play all of their games on campus?
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There was a time when playing in Hartford was helpful but it’s not anymore. Getting tickets in gampel hasn’t been challenging since what, early 2000s? None of those schools have a gampel. Also all of those schools have a much better off campus arena to play in than xl. If they have to use xl, limit it to the games over break, and maybe one big game if no big games fall over break.
 
I think we're 11 pages into a lot of overthinking.

Hartford was always a commuter city and that's worse due to COVID and likely never getting back to where it once was with telecommuting.

Suburbs have better dining and drinking options that are safer and closer to each other.

Venues like the casinos have stolen the concerts from the XL Center because the facilities are newer with better entertainment options under one roof.

No one cares about the Wolf Pack, no more Whalers or NHL opportunities in the future.

The State knows if they lose UConn at the XL, that venue is dead and buried. That's it. Period the end. Nothing to do with proximity, students, fan base loyalty, etc, etc, etc. Those games are the only guaranteed revenue that facility sees with more than 5,000 in attendance all year and the State won't let that leave.
 
Deepster said:
I think we're 11 pages into a lot of overthinking.

Hartford was always a commuter city and that's worse due to COVID and likely never getting back to where it once was with telecommuting.

Suburbs have better dining and drinking options that are safer and closer to each other.

Venues like the casinos have stolen the concerts from the XL Center because the facilities are newer with better entertainment options under one roof.

No one cares about the Wolf Pack, no more Whalers or NHL opportunities in the future.

The State knows if they lose UConn at the XL, that venue is dead and buried. That's it. Period the end. Nothing to do with proximity, students, fan base loyalty, etc, etc, etc. Those games are the only guaranteed revenue that facility sees with more than 5,000 in attendance all year and the State won't let that leave.
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If UConn Men & Women 14-15 dates per year are the only thing keeping XL standing then it should close...the power & upkeep alone must cost more than the revenue the place generates.

XL doesn't work for UConn basketball anymore....it's become a burden for UConn (men at least) to play home games in the building.
 
Hi-Low said:
If UConn Men & Women 14-15 dates per year are the only thing keeping XL standing then it should close...the power & upkeep alone must cost more than the revenue the place generates.

XL doesn't work for UConn basketball anymore....it's become a burden for UConn (men at least) to play home games in the building.
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Here are all the events from October through May. 28 dates for UConn Hockey, Men's and Women's Basketball. 35 Wolfpack games (they average 3,900 a game for the last 4 seasons).

I think you'll see from the rest of the calendar, yes....the UConn games are the only thing keeping the lights on.

13 Uconn Hockey
8 Uconn Men's Basketball
7 Uconn Women's Basketball
35 Hartford Wolfpack
Disney On Ice presents Mickey's Search Party
Stars on Ice
2 Harlem Globetrotters
Monster Jam
WWE Presents Friday Night Smackdown
Journey Freedom Tour
The Sneakerhead Invasion
TobyMac Hits Deep Tour
My Why Tour, Presented by Toyota, USA Women's National Hockey Team vs Canada
PLAYBOI CARTI: King Vamp
PTO Expo
Hartford Wedding & Bridal Expo
 
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Deepster said:
Here are all the events from October through May. 28 dates for UConn Hockey, Men's and Women's Basketball. 35 Wolfpack games (they average 3,900 a game for the last 4 seasons).

I think you'll see from the rest of the calendar, yes....the UConn games are the only thing keeping the lights on.

13 Uconn Hockey
8 Uconn Men's Basketball
7 Uconn Women's Basketball
35 Hartford Wolfpack
Disney On Ice presents Mickey's Search Party
Stars on Ice
2 Harlem Globetrotters
Monster Jam
WWE Presents Friday Night Smackdown
Journey Freedom Tour
The Sneakerhead Invasion
TobyMac Hits Deep Tour
My Why Tour, Presented by Toyota, USA Women's National Hockey Team vs Canada
PLAYBOI CARTI: King Vamp
PTO Expo
Hartford Wedding & Bridal Expo
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Gross.
 
georgetown.
plays at 20k seat capital one arena. its alternative is a gym. and that school has a $2.6 billion endowment.
and its best win is over Longwood.

images
 
Georgetown needs to build an 8-10k seat arena right across the Key Bridge in Rosslyn
 



-> A few of the specifics according to the plan
  • Capacity: Approximately 10,136
  • Timeframe: TBD
  • Price tag: $183 million
  • Location: Four possible locations were presented, one was preferred.
  • Student seating: Approximately 2,200 student seats to surround 3/4 of the lower-level by the floor.
Byrne said they visited multiple college basketball arenas -- both renovated and new builds for inspiration. That tour included stops at Ole Miss, whose new arena was completed in 2016 and has many design features that also appear in Alabama’s proposed building. Other stops included James Madison, Virginia, Illinois, DePaul and Cincinnati. <-
 
huskymedic said:



-> A few of the specifics according to the plan
  • Capacity: Approximately 10,136
  • Timeframe: TBD
  • Price tag: $183 million
  • Location: Four possible locations were presented, one was preferred.
  • Student seating: Approximately 2,200 student seats to surround 3/4 of the lower-level by the floor.
Byrne said they visited multiple college basketball arenas -- both renovated and new builds for inspiration. That tour included stops at Ole Miss, whose new arena was completed in 2016 and has many design features that also appear in Alabama’s proposed building. Other stops included James Madison, Virginia, Illinois, DePaul and Cincinnati. <-
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Why aren’t they building it in Birmingham?
 
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Get a Job said:
I'm with you on preferring Gampel over XL, but I think you are overplaying your hand a little here.
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I am s*it posting, I admit. But, the question remains why doesn’t Bama (or x, y or z school) split their games in the urban area where their alumni are located?
 
Guapo said:
I am s*it posting, I admit. But, the question remains why doesn’t Bama (or x, y or z school) split their games in the urban area where their alumni are located?
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Because Tuscaloosa has a 100,000 friggin' people. To get Mansfield even a quarter of a way to that you better start counting the residents that moo.

And the reason people in Raleigh drive 39 minutes to Chapel Hill is because it gets them to Chapel Hill. The people saying Storrs being 39 minutes from downtown Hartford makes it difficult to get to Gampel on weeknights are starting their drive an hour south of Hartford in Fairfield or Bridgeport -- not in downtown Hartford.

And I know, I know, fans in Kansas City leave work at 12:30 on Tuesday to get to Lawrence for Jayhawks games. But this ain't Kansas and our fans don't operate that way, that's why Gampel has like 3,000 season-ticket holders -- but sure, let's double the number of games there and draw like an A-10 team, especially at a time when there's a thread on this site every other day about how current students don't care about basketball enough to show up or clap like they used to or whatever the complaint of the day is.

Speaking of which, enough about how hard it is for students to get to Hartford on weeknights a handful of times a year. Like half of us are UConn alumni and we all know the biggest decision we were making at 5 p.m. on a game night was whether to go to Huskies for happy hour or pregame in the dorm. You can leave Storrs at like 5:30-6 on a Tuesday and get back to campus at like 9:30-10 a handful of times a season and still graduate on time, I promise.

Fans who go to games in Hartford care every bit as much about this program as the ones who go to games in Storrs, and just because you and a few others decide to s*it post about it every time there's a loss at the XL Center -- which like 5 minutes of internet research disproved having any real impact on performance -- doesn't make that less true.
 
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Kemba Time said:
Because Tuscaloosa has a 100,000 friggin' people. To get Mansfield even a quarter of a way to that you'd need to start counting the residents that moo.
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why is Tuscaloosa now building a 10k arena?

XL fanbois need to man up or Get the you know what out. .
 
Deepster said:
Here are all the events from October through May. 28 dates for UConn Hockey, Men's and Women's Basketball. 35 Wolfpack games (they average 3,900 a game for the last 4 seasons).

I think you'll see from the rest of the calendar, yes....the UConn games are the only thing keeping the lights on.

13 Uconn Hockey
8 Uconn Men's Basketball
7 Uconn Women's Basketball
35 Hartford Wolfpack
Disney On Ice presents Mickey's Search Party
Stars on Ice
2 Harlem Globetrotters
Monster Jam
WWE Presents Friday Night Smackdown
Journey Freedom Tour
The Sneakerhead Invasion
TobyMac Hits Deep Tour
My Why Tour, Presented by Toyota, USA Women's National Hockey Team vs Canada
PLAYBOI CARTI: King Vamp
PTO Expo
Hartford Wedding & Bridal Expo
Expand ...
I think you're massively underestimating Playboi Carti.
 
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