Salt Lake NHL and MLB News Thread

[bob rulz]

Yeah that is a good point comrade. Why would RSL move from a soccer-specific stadium to a hybrid stadium? I don't see RSL moving unless they actually get a new soccer-specific stadium.

[Orlando]

The Seattle Sounders play in the same stadium as the Seahawks. So, it's not too far fetched to do a hybrid situation.

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by Orlando

The Seattle Sounders play in the same stadium as the Seahawks. So, it's not too far fetched to do a hybrid situation.

The issue isn't 'just' RSL playing in a soccer-specific stadium already but that a baseball stadium is even in this scenario.

Here's NYC FC's set up at Yankee Stadium:



It's not an ideal set up at all.

Nowhere near as good as this:



And of course, the Salt Lake area already has a soccer-specific stadium. I could see this scenario playing out if that stadium didn't exist and they would temporarily play at the MLB stadium but that isn't the case here.

[Comrade]

Not much of an update but more news on the finalizing of the Delta Center district plans:

https://www.ksl.com/article/51287100/sal...for-massive-delta-center-district-plans-

[wrendog]

Sacramento hasn't had a single sellout for any home As game. Yeah, they aren't ready

[wrendog]

Not to be outdone, the salt lake bees and their terrible new location couldn't sell out opening night in a brand new stadium and only 2,700 showed up for the 2nd night. Woof.

[Comrade]

First Saturday game ever at the ballpark - nice day to boot and the Bees only drew 3,900 vs Reno.

[bob rulz]

Man who could've seen that coming besides everyone?

[wrendog]

Originally Posted by bob rulz

Man who could've seen that coming besides everyone?

To be fair, they weren't drawing much better last year at Smiths in April. In fact, they are getting a bit more this year so far. For example, Friday they had 4300 compared to 2100 at Smiths first friday home game last year

[Comrade]

Sure but you'd expect a significant bump considering a new stadium + new area of the valley that might not have been exposed to the Bees in the past. When the Buzz came to Salt Lake, their first home game ever vs Edmonton on April 11, 1994, drew 14,000 fans:



I get not exactly the fairest of comparisons since this was the Buzz's first game ever but it's a stronger comparison than just looking at last year's numbers since it does absolutely feel like a new era for the Bees.

[wrendog]

Originally Posted by Comrade

Sure but you'd expect a significant bump considering a new stadium + new area of the valley that might not have been exposed to the Bees in the past. When the Buzz came to Salt Lake, their first home game ever vs Edmonton on April 11, 1994, drew 14,000 fans:



I get not exactly the fairest of comparisons since this was the Buzz's first game ever but it's a stronger comparison than just looking at last year's numbers since it does absolutely feel like a new era for the Bees.

For sure. New stadium should be enticing, so it's pretty sad to see. I was just surprised to see how horrible it was at Smiths too

[ucsbgaucho]

Originally Posted by wrendog

For sure. New stadium should be enticing, so it's pretty sad to see. I was just surprised to see how horrible it was at Smiths too

Last year the Bees ranked 4th in the PCL in attendance, averaging 3,150 per game, as a reference. The top team averaged 3,356 per game. Lowest was 1,885.

[wrendog]

Originally Posted by ucsbgaucho

Last year the Bees ranked 4th in the PCL in attendance, averaging 3,150 per game, as a reference. The top team averaged 3,356 per game. Lowest was 1,885.

Crazy low attendance for AAA ball. I figured it was higher. Guess I don't follow minor leagues very well. Lol

[Comrade]

Minor League Baseball isn't as lucrative as it used to be.

In 2015, the Bees averaged 6,500 and the top team in all of minor league baseball was Sacramento at 9,338.

[rockies]

In Vegas, the aviators seemed to be wildly successful after leaving downtown and moving to a new stadium (Cashman Field -> LV Ballpark) in the suburbs. I wonder if this was the hope with the bees. I am glad to see it work out this way, because I am bitter about them leaving Smith's downtown, but I wonder if they will gain popularity once the immediately adjacent areas in daybreak fill out a bit more

The main difference, though, is that Las Vegas has such poor urban form everywhere that Cashman Field is down the road from Fremont Street/downtown but feels far more suburban than Las Vegas Ballpark which is part of a suburban lifestyle center/shopping mall in Summerlin. It was a huge upgrade from Cashman both in vibe/aesthetics and, somehow, walkability. I don't think Smith's ballpark had the problems Cashman did, tho, and I think all they did by moving the bees was kill the atmosphere that would attract a more casual viewer like me

Edit: of course they also fully rebranded which could have played a part

[Comrade]

Sounds like Miller Sports and Entertainment plan on keeping RSL in Sandy:

https://kslsports.com/soccer/steve-starks-rsl-stadium-royals/545879

[ucsbgaucho]

SEG now owns part of the Salt Palace CC as the sale was approved; the block that includes the Radisson. Will be part of their entertainment district.
NEWS

Also, new official renderings of the Delta Center are out. Construction has started. Floor is being raised 2 feet, all seats including upper bowl will no longer be obstructed starting this coming season. Parking garage approved on backside of DC, construction also starting. Final hockey capacity will be 17,000 and Jazz seating increases to 19,000. Great video on X about the renovations can be found here.

[mattreedah]

Originally Posted by ucsbgaucho

Also, new official renderings of the Delta Center are out. Construction has started. Floor is being raised 2 feet, all seats including upper bowl will no longer be obstructed starting this coming season. found here.

Upper bowl will still have obstructions for a few seasons. But the lower bowl will look absolutely amazing.

[Comrade]

Also sounds like they will be going with Mammoth:

https://www.fox13now.com/sports/utah-hoc...ockey-club-make-mammoth-nickname-mistake

[Comrade]

Here's some better renderings: