New Arena? Renovated SKC? (1 Viewer)

[HoustonGold]

Step into any other NBA arena and you quickly notice how outdated the SKC is today. Question is how do you get a new arena or renovation when your product stinks year after year? To put it in car dealer terms. Selling lemons to fans each year?

 

[Taker597]

I don't know... Would love to see a state of the art arena on the waterfront

 

[Grumpy Old Manatee]

If only it had a sheet of ice, glass and dasher boards again…

 

[DJ1BigTymer]

They just did a remodel about the same time they became the Pelicans.

 

[HoustonGold]

They just did a remodel about the same time they became the Pelicans.

Minor renovations 10 years ago.

Could a 'new' or 'renewed' Smoothie King Center keep Pelicans in New Orleans?

The Smoothie King Center is now 25 years old and showing its age in terms of modern NBA standards.

www.wwltv.com

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.”

 

[HoustonGold]

Madison also said this

A new report reveals infrastructure upgrades needed for the Smoothie King Center

The Pelicans' lease at Smoothie King Center expires in 2029. Here's what a new report says is needed to improve the facility.

www.nola.com

Madison said when the Pelicans went to Birmingham for a preseason game last year where their minor league team plays, some players and staff found the facilities there a little better than what they have in the Smoothie King Center.

“For an NBA team to say that I think kind of speaks to the state of the Smoothie King, right now.”

 

[neworleanshoo]

They just did a remodel about the same time they became the Pelicans.

yeah that wasn't a "remodel" it was the bare minimum for occupancy.

 

[GrandAdmiral]

From my understanding, talks on the SKC were put on the backburner while the Dome renovations were being done. I'd imagine they'll pick up soon.

 

[HoustonGold]

From my understanding, talks on the SKC were put on the backburner while the Dome renovations were being done. I'd imagine they'll pick up soon.

Nothing has been approved. Just a study. The SKC is very outdated. Thornton even admitted that is those articles.