But according to a recent physical assessment, the Smoothie King Center has undergone minimal changes since opening in 1999.
It also found most systems in the arena have reached or exceeded their expected usable life.
Among the high- and medium-priority items that need attention identified in the report are new seating, upgraded lighting, a modern center-hung scoreboard, new video screens, and upgraded concession stands.
“It can definitely hold NBA games,” Locked on Pelicans host Jake Madison said. “You can still have fun going to it and the good thing about it, is tickets are cheap. But it doesn’t really hold up to modern-day NBA standards.”
Madison says the NBA seems to be pushing brand-new, state-of-the-art arenas where the league and home team can generate higher basketball-related income.
“That counts as ticket sales. That counts as merchandise. That is concession sometimes too. Newer arenas tend to drive those sorts of purchases. It brings in more revenue for the league which then gets split amongst the owners, the players and that’s how everyone makes their money.”