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Message: [QUOTE="BPT2Storrs, post: 4186718, member: 7746"] 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. [/QUOTE]