Venue News: Parking Is Latest Hurdle for New Sacramento Arena
Story Highlights
A proposed $387 million arena continues to gain steam in the effort to keep the NBA’s Kings in Sacramento, CA, but the plans for a downtown railyard site lack sufficient parking, according to the Sacramento Bee. Developers are anticipating that 20% of event-goers will use light-rail services to get to the game, leaving the remaining patrons to park at existing parking garages “a few blocks away” and walk. That brings forth such challenges as the issue of traffic gridlock and a need to further develop the surrounding area…
…A bid of $500 million has been made by a minority business group to purchase Atlanta Spirit, which owns the NBA’s Hawks, the NHL’s Thrashers, and Phillips Arena. Atlanta Spirit, in the news lately for its yet-to-be-approved sale of the Thrashers to True North Group in Winnipeg, MB, said the bid would be adjusted downward after the franchise vacates. If a deal is completed, the new ownership group would be called W/C Holdings…
…With the opening of the 2012 European Championship now less than a year away, concern is rising that host country Ukraine might not be ready, because construction of two soccer stadiums is behind schedule. Ukrainian officials insist the venues will be prepared well in advance of next June’s kickoff. However, a 30,000-seat proposed stadium in Lviv is already considering pushing back its planned debut date of Nov. 15…
…Louisville Arena Sports and Entertainment Properties completed approximately $250,000 in new sponsorship agreements, adding three sponsors for the eight-month-old KFC Yum! Center. In a news release, the group announced that Absolut Vodka had secured the naming rights to the southeast premium-box bar; Community & Aztek Limousine was named the arena’s official limousine company; and Los Aztecas and Sol Aztecas Mexican restaurants will be featured on an exterior video marquee on Norton Healthcare Plaza…
…WiFi aggregator Boingo Wireless is looking to expand its services into shopping malls, quick-service restaurants, and stadiums and arenas. The popular airline wireless Internet server already has a contract with Chicago’s Soldier Field and believes it will not be long before all stadiums have a wireless network.