The XL Center is now People's Bank Arena. *nm*

[CL82]

my gut tells me it'd make sense to own facilities that are on campus and not to own off campus ones.

No argument there!

 

[Palatine]

Say what you want about the People's Bank Arena. Larry Bird played there. Wayne Gretzky played there. Arthur Ashe played there. Hulk Hogan wrestled there. Frank Sinatra and the Grateful Dead performed there. Dorothy Hamill and Peggy Fleming skated there. Yeah, it's old but there is some pretty cool history.

 

[John]

Say what you want about the People's Bank Arena. Larry Bird played there. Wayne Gretzky played there. Arthur Ashe played there. Hulk Hogan wrestled there. Frank Sinatra and the Grateful Dead performed there. Dorothy Hamill and Peggy Fleming skated there. Yeah, it's old but there is some pretty cool history.

and there's been barn-burner UConn games there in all three arena-based UConn sports.

 

[CL82]

Say what you want about the People's Bank Arena. Larry Bird played there. Wayne Gretzky played there. Arthur Ashe played there. Hulk Hogan wrestled there. Frank Sinatra and the Grateful Dead performed there. Dorothy Hamill and Peggy Fleming skated there. Yeah, it's old but there is some pretty cool history.

Actually, none of those people ever played in "PeoplesBank Arena." That said, I had no idea that Sinatra and the Dead ever did a show together. Trying to imagine what that would've been like.

 

[Palatine]

Actually, none of those people ever played in "PeoplesBank Arena." That said, I had no idea that Sinatra and the Dead ever did a show together. Trying to imagine what that would've been like.

I left that out there to see if someone would jump on it. But that is the place.

 

[Waquoit]

…yes? Absolutely?

The Pack moved a game last year and UConn ended up playing the game in Storrs anyway. Nice.

 

[CL82]

The Pack moved a game last year and UConn ended up playing the game in Storrs anyway. Nice.

I know! UConn can be such jerks! Am I right?

 

[John]

Say what you want about the People's Bank Arena. Larry Bird played there. Wayne Gretzky played there. Arthur Ashe played there. Hulk Hogan wrestled there. Frank Sinatra and the Grateful Dead performed there. Dorothy Hamill and Peggy Fleming skated there. Yeah, it's old but there is some pretty cool history.

Rolling Stones in 81

 

[Kolumbo]

Regarding UConn vs the Wolfpack. I'll bet part of the concern is keeping the Wolf Pack as a tenant which is probably critical for Hartford and the HCC. UConn is playing in Hartford regardless of what goes down. The Wolf Pack is the top affiliate of the New York Rangers which is fairly valuable I would think and probably has other options. Attendance in Hartford is in the lower half of the league though, behind Springfield, Milwaukee, Rochester, Texas (Cedar Park), Toronto, Syracuse...

AHL 2023-24 team attendance at hockeydb.com

Attendance for the American Hockey League for the 2023-24 season

www.hockeydb.com

 

[HuskyHawk]

The Pack moved a game last year and UConn ended up playing the game in Storrs anyway. Nice.

As long as they know they are second class citizens, I think that's all we really care about.

 

[mjmoney23]

Say what you want about the People's Bank Arena. Larry Bird played there. Wayne Gretzky played there. Arthur Ashe played there. Hulk Hogan wrestled there. Frank Sinatra and the Grateful Dead performed there. Dorothy Hamill and Peggy Fleming skated there. Yeah, it's old but there is some pretty cool history.

In one of the renovation facebook posts, there was a picture of Jordan playing against the Celtics at the old Civic Center! There's becoming fewer NBA arenas left that Jordan played in.

 

[CTBballfan243]

Say what you want about the People's Bank Arena. Larry Bird played there. Wayne Gretzky played there. Arthur Ashe played there. Hulk Hogan wrestled there. Frank Sinatra and the Grateful Dead performed there. Dorothy Hamill and Peggy Fleming skated there. Yeah, it's old but there is some pretty cool history.

Not to mention Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Ron Francis, Kevin Dineen, Mario Lemieux, Guy Lafluer et al.

 

[Waquoit]

As long as they know they are second class citizens, I think that's all we really care about.

What do you mean we, out of stater?

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

One of the worse "deals" for any College in USA is UConn being forced to play 1/2 their home schedule in PBA! The state ties in contributions to the University to playing those games in Hartford! Otherwise no-one would go to Hartford!
For the $200.000+ UConn pays could go for needed stuff for their programs.
If any one had a brain in UConn Athletic Department before they built Werth Center IMHO they should have built the Werth Center where Gampel is now and built a NEW Gampel next door!
With all the amenities and seating for 15,000! Right now Gampel holds approximately 10,600 and they'd get 15,00 every game easily!

 

[Kolumbo]

As long as I keep reading PBA i think of 2 things. Pabst Blue Ribbon and

 

[John]

One of the worse "deals" for any College in USA is UConn being forced to play 1/2 their home schedule in PBA! The state ties in contributions to the University to playing those games in Hartford! Otherwise no-one would go to Hartford!
For the $200.000+ UConn pays could go for needed stuff for their programs.
If any one had a brain in UConn Athletic Department before they built Werth Center IMHO they should have built the Werth Center where Gampel is now and built a NEW Gampel next door!
With all the amenities and seating for 15,000! Right now Gampel holds approximately 10,600 and they'd get 15,00 every game easily!

thanks, I'm glad someone finally brought up this critical issue 🙄

 

[HuskyHawk]

What do you mean we, out of stater?

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds blue blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in New England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That cheers with us upon Saint Calhoun's day.

 

[zls44]

The Pack moved a game last year and UConn ended up playing the game in Storrs anyway. Nice.

Good, F them.

 

[Lafayette]

This is basic brand economics - new company gets naming rights - building owners get cash from new company.

Almost every arena and Bowl game go thru this and turnover of new owners varies.

 

[Waquoit]

Good, F them.

Your belief in fairness didn’t seem to last very long. Putz.

 

[John]

Good, F them.

c'mon man.

 

[Bomber36]

That place needs to be replaced…. Better off playing at Gampel for year or so if its replacement would require the demolition etc.

XL cenfer sounds like a Fat Canp

I have fond memories of the civic center but its time passed 20 years ago

You make it sound like that will be easy to do. (Announcer…”It won’t be”.)

 

[zls44]

Your belief in fairness didn’t seem to last very long. Putz.

I believe in what’s fair for my own best interests, like any American.

 

[John]

I believe in what’s fair for my own best interests, like any American.

So you're one of those guys. You must be a peach of a neighbor/co-worker/etc/etc.