XL center renovations considered as part of sports betting deal

[How Sway?!]

Sports betting could boost XL Center and downtown Hartford with new gambling venue

Long-awaited changes in Connecticut's legalized gambling could boost redevelopment efforts in downtown Hartford, creating a wagering destination in the city.

www.courant.com

 

[LoyalFanCT]

The only way it will be worth spending a huge amount to fix up the XL Center is if we can use it as a bargaining
chip to get UConn into the ACC or B10.

 

[Waquoit]

The only way it will be worth spending a huge amount to fix up the XL Center is if we can use it as a bargaining
chip to get UConn into the ACC or B10.

I disagree. A capital city needs a nice arena.

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

Niagara in upstate NY has a casino in town and the town is still a dump.

 

[LoyalFanCT]

I disagree. A capital city needs a nice arena.

Back in 2015, it was reported that a new XL Center would cost $500 million, renovated one $250 million. Given the cost overruns one would see in a crooked, incompetent city like Hartford, those numbers likely are on the lower side. UConn wouldn't even put its med school/dental school in Hartford opting instead for a fancy suburb. I think we could make the case if we were joining ND in the ACC. Otherwise, the governor who backed such a plan likely would be voted out of office in the next election.

 

[How Sway?!]

Personally, renovating the XL center and make it a hub of sorts for betting would solve a lot of the issues revolving us playing in Hartford. Would probably make the building profitable and we would no longer have to prop it up.

 

[Skiblets]

Gambling as an economic growth engine is a joke. Cleveland has tried it. A dismal failure despite two downtown sports venues. Wishing Hartford all the best but this is not forward looking or innovative. It’s just another source of money to be thrown out the window with no lasting benefit. A tax on an addiction.

 

[NJHusky]

Gambling as an economic growth engine is a joke. Cleveland has tried it. A dismal failure despite two downtown sports venues. Wishing Hartford all the best but this is not forward looking or innovative. It’s just another source of money to be thrown out the window with no lasting benefit. A tax on an addiction.

do you have any idea the amount of money going through the sports book in NJ @ the racetrack near Metlife?

 

[Skiblets]

How much stays there ?

 

[gampelcrazies]

If they really want to get serious with the XL they have to throw a boat load of money around and build a top of the line brand new arena.

Give the Hurricane a sweetheart deal to come back and be the Whalers. Because without the pro team, there's no way they are pumping big money on an arena.

 

[XLCenterFan]

The only way it will be worth spending a huge amount to fix up the XL Center is if we can use it as a bargaining
chip to get UConn into the ACC or B10.

What?!

 

[UKemba15]

Niagara in upstate NY has a casino in town and the town is still a dump.

Yea but isn’t upstate NY part of Canada?

 

[XLCenterFan]

It needs to be joint venture between the state and Mohegan/Foxwoods. I would say both...make it a three-way split. New arena, casino, sports book, poker room, hotel, restaurant, shops etc. High Rollers bowling alley at Foxwoods is awesome - bring one here. Between both casinos, there are awesome restaurants - bring some here. The spas at both places are great (I prefer G Spa at Foxwoods) - bring one here. I used to love the poker rooms and race book at the CT casinos, until MGM Grand opened their poker room (but no race book) - open one here. Throw in a Top Golf, or an indoor golf simulator, a spot with darts, a mini golf, a brewery, and of course a Bear's BBQ. I'd never leave the place.

 

[LoyalFanCT]

What?!

One of the ways Louisville convinced the ACC to let them in over UConn in the prior round of realignment was to brag about how much they were spending on facilities.

 

[navery12]

XL Center should be upgraded to remove all UConn logos from the arena and find a new tenant

 

[CL82]

do you have any idea the amount of money going through the sports book in NJ @ the racetrack near Metlife?

And how is the area around it?

(I mean other than its usefulness for mob burials.)

 

[CL82]

Yea but isn’t upstate NY part of Canada?

No just Syracuse.

 

[CL82]

“It’s easy to imagine how a retail sports betting venue that is part of a larger dining and entertainment venue could be a great component of a renovated XL Center,” (Hartford Mayor) Bronin said.

This is exactly what's wrong with how Connecticut planning. Renovating the XL makes zero sense financially, but if we add as sports book to it, it suddenly does? Seriously Connecticut political decision making is unbelievable.

 

[Ts5034]

do you have any idea the amount of money going through the sports book in NJ @ the racetrack near Metlife?

Exactly! The legalization of sports betting also is what boosted the resurgence of Atlantic City. New Jersey was smart, they were prepared, and as soon as the federal ban on sports betting was lifted, NJ had sports books up and running within weeks.

With Connecticut having two of the largest casinos in the world, you would think they would have done the same thing. Better late than never, but It seems like the state has some good ideas and things are in motion.

 

[LoyalFanCT]

Exactly! The legalization of sports betting also is what boosted the resurgence of Atlantic City. New Jersey was smart, they were prepared, and as soon as the federal ban on sports betting was lifted, NJ had sports books up and running within weeks.

With Connecticut having two of the largest casinos in the world, you would think they would have done the same thing. Better late than never, but It seems like the state has some good ideas and things are in motion.

I hope you guys are right but I think the far better approach for CT is to invest in and expand cutting edge technology with UConn as the base for expertise. There is available land and low-cost housing in Northeastern CT. In the long run that will be real job creators. UConn's new president has a national reputation in engineering. And who know, it may lead to AAU membership for UConn.

 

[XLCenterFan]

“It’s easy to imagine how a retail sports betting venue that is part of a larger dining and entertainment venue could be a great component of a renovated XL Center,” (Hartford Mayor) Bronin said.

This is exactly what's wrong with how Connecticut planning. Renovating the XL makes zero sense financially, but if we add as sports book to it, it suddenly does? Seriously Connecticut political decision making is unbelievable.

You just sound like one of those anti-Hartford people. Stay out in Putnam, Avon, or Guilford...or wherever you're from. I see zero wrong with that statement. It is easy to see. It would be great.

When it happens, please don't come. And would it make sense if Mohegan/Foxwoods chipped in?

 

[XLCenterFan]

One of the ways Louisville convinced the ACC to let them in over UConn in the prior round of realignment was to brag about how much they were spending on facilities.

We are a basketball school. Very few here care about football. The BE is where we belong - no other conference.

 

[LoyalFanCT]

We are a basketball school. Very few here care about football. The BE is where we belong - no other conference.

that is ridiculous

 

[XLCenterFan]

that is ridiculous

Your original comment was far more ridiculous. Ask around.

 

[NJHusky]

And how is the area around it?

(I mean other than its usefulness for mob burials.)

It’s fine. Some hotels and light industrial. 2 major highways. Residential about 1 mile away