papasmurfbell Posted October 3, 2014 Posted October 3, 2014 http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/10/02/nfl-draft-moves-to-chicago-in-2015/ I wish the Ravens and the city would make a run at the draft. Do it in the arena. To small for most events but should be fine for the draft. Quote
deeshopper Posted October 5, 2014 Posted October 5, 2014 OMG. I will be there for a conference! Hmm. Quote
thundercleetz Posted November 3, 2014 Posted November 3, 2014 http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/10/02/nfl-draft-moves-to-chicago-in-2015/ I wish the Ravens and the city would make a run at the draft. Do it in the arena. To small for most events but should be fine for the draft.That arena is so disguisting, no way it could host the draft. Quote
papasmurfbell Posted November 3, 2014 Author Posted November 3, 2014 In what way? It is not bells an whistles but to call names I see no problem. Quote
thundercleetz Posted November 3, 2014 Posted November 3, 2014 In what way? It is not bells an whistles but to call names I see no problem.No corporate suites (I think they recently added two actually), inadequate lockerroom area, (Carmelo Anthony was sitting on the floor two years ago when the Knicks came to play the Wizards), and just an overall dirty, retro 70s looking interior. I am sure the media facilities required for an event like the NFL draft are inadequate as well. COULD it host the draft? Sure. But it would be cramped and probably hammered by the snobby media because it doesn't have the bells and whistles. Quote
papasmurfbell Posted November 3, 2014 Author Posted November 3, 2014 It is the draft. I have been in the room under Madison Sq Garden. It has no suites either and it isn't that large. Does Radio City? Also again being a draft what would the LR's be used for? Quote
thundercleetz Posted November 3, 2014 Posted November 3, 2014 It is the draft. I have been in the room under Madison Sq Garden. It has no suites either and it isn't that large. Does Radio City? Also again being a draft what would the LR's be used for?Not arguing with you, could it be used for the draft? Sure. For it to happen at such an outdated facility the city would have to bend over backwards to make it happen, probably to the point of not being profitable. There would be many other cities with better attractions and better facilities that would be much higher on the list. Heck the city couldn't even keep Otakon. If the city really wants to make a splash it should focus it's efforts on getting a new arena and trying to host a DNC and bring back Otakon. Maybe building the new arena with a hotel attached to the convention center would get premium conventions like the DNC or NFL Draft. Probably unrealistic however. Quote
papasmurfbell Posted November 3, 2014 Author Posted November 3, 2014 It couldn't keep Otakon because the Convention center is to small for it now. I am not for making the CC larger. It is a boondoggle. They said build it and they will come the last time the CC was made larger. They didn't come. They said build a CC hotel and they will come. Now they don't come for either. That whole area is a grift. I agree on an Arena. The city should replace what they have. I figure 16,000 seats or so. I have thought they should build a new racetrack hooked to the casino downtown that is also connected to a new arena and a hotel. I would also like to see the state fight for sports book and put it exclusively at that casino. You can run lots of events that share the space and work in harmony with each other. All that said there is no reason they can't make it work here. This is where they used to do the draft before Radio City. They stopped using it because the Knicks owners killed the Jets stadium idea in Manhattan.http://specialevents.thegarden.com/#/theateratmsg A 5,500 - seat, fully appointed theatrical venue, the Theater at Madison Square Garden is the perfect setting for staged events, graduations, concerts and meetings on a grand scale. The venue has hosted legendary concerts, memorable theatrical productions and an impressive roster of performers. The space�s interior architecture is equally remarkable as the room allows for flexible configurations and the last row is a mere 177 feet from the center stage, ensuring an intimate experience from every seat in the house! Quote
thundercleetz Posted November 3, 2014 Posted November 3, 2014 It couldn't keep Otakon because the Convention center is to small for it now. I am not for making the CC larger. It is a boondoggle. They said build it and they will come the last time the CC was made larger. They didn't come. They said build a CC hotel and they will come. Now they don't come for either. That whole area is a grift. I agree on an Arena. The city should replace what they have. I figure 16,000 seats or so. I have thought they should build a new racetrack hooked to the casino downtown that is also connected to a new arena and a hotel. I would also like to see the state fight for sports book and put it exclusively at that casino. You can run lots of events that share the space and work in harmony with each other. All that said there is no reason they can't make it work here. This is where they used to do the draft before Radio City. They stopped using it because the Knicks owners killed the Jets stadium idea in Manhattan.http://specialevents.thegarden.com/#/theateratmsgI agree, the casino needs a connected hotel if it wants to be a serious destination. A horse track and arena would give the city an enormous edge for big time events. As far as the convention center, I do see your point, I think the previous rennovation failed because other cities made their convention centers bigger than ours shortly after. Lots of competition for hosting events and we just got outplayed essentially. The only reason I bring it up is because at this moment the only serious arena plan is the one attached to the convention center. I do agree with you that one attached to the casino with the hotel would be a much better idea, but it doesn't look like that's being considered... Quote
papasmurfbell Posted November 3, 2014 Author Posted November 3, 2014 I think the CC arena idea is out also. The guy from Whiting Turner died. That was his plan. My idea would take tons of finagling. You would have to get control of the Md Jockey Club. Also get a partnership with the owner of the downtown casino. MD would have to fight the feds like Christy is on sports book. Finally acquiring all the land needed to build all of it. You are right on the being on the back end of the building frenzy. I see no point in chasing the tail. Go in a different direction. People want to go to Vegas, Orlando, or LA for a convention. People aren't looking at bmore as a destination. We can never build our way into being a draw either. Quote
thundercleetz Posted November 7, 2014 Posted November 7, 2014 Keeping on topic with the arena: http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2014/11/06/what-marylands-business-leaders-want-to-see-from.html "Baltimore's had a good relationship with the governor through the last term, and we've been able to get some things done. There's a lot more progress we need to make, and it'll only happen with cooperation with the next governor who understands Baltimore is a cultural engine and an economic engine. We're still trying to figure out the best way to update or upgrade our arena — we have the highest-performing per square foot arena for that size, and we want to make sure we stay competitive in that field." -Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake Quote
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