Sports in Austin

[gillynova]

We would need a WHOLE new arena if this happens, right?

[freerover]

Originally Posted by gillynova

We would need a WHOLE new arena if this happens, right?

Why not Moody? Capacity?

[gillynova]

I don't think it can fit a hockey rink inside there, can it? A hockey rink is bigger than a basketball court. If it can, then we would potentially rank as one of the lowest NHL Capacity's in the league

Also, what would happen to HEB Center in Cedar Park? They will for sure lose the Texas Stars and will only host the Austin Spurs

[IluvATX]

Originally Posted by gillynova

I don't think it can fit a hockey rink inside there, can it? A hockey rink is bigger than a basketball court. If it can, then we would potentially rank as one of the lowest NHL Capacity's in the league

Also, what would happen to HEB Center in Cedar Park? They will for sure lose the Texas Stars and will only host the Austin Spurs

I don’t think one would fit even with seating alterations. A hockey rink is roughly double the size of a basketball court.

[SproutingTowers]

From what I read NHL is demanding new arenas for expansion teams.

[gillynova]

Honestly if anything, San Antonio might get the NHL one since theyre making a new arena for the Spurs

[ATX2030]

Moody is booked solid that time of year and is too small. Would have to be a new arena. A NHL team alone wouldn't justify the expense. We'd have to probably land a WNBA franchise as well. Dell would be the only candidate with that type of money. If it was his venture he'd probably also add 10-15 Spurs games a year at the arena since he's an owner. Pipe dream essentially.

[The ATX]

IMO Atlanta is a lock for the next NHL expansion team. In addition to being a large market, $3B has been approved for a sports complex including a hockey arena. Money talks.

[gillynova]

No one really went to the Atlanta Thrashers though so it's weird to me

[drummer]

Didn't Austin miss out on WNBA? I thought I saw a headline on that.

Moody would be too small for NHL in my opinion, but it would have been cool. There's still room for the minor league as it often expands the audience and provides a cheaper alternative that's more laid back for families, etc. That said, the likelihood of having a separate NHL team AND a Stars minor league team isn't great, and I don't know that we yet have the hockey market to support both major and minor league teams - but I could be wrong.

San Antonio's new arena could be a bump for them - that's a good point. Its location is on point for that as well right by downtown, the convention center, the Riverwalk, etc. Super cool.

[LiveattheOasis]

NHL has no interest in San Antonio. Not their market from a corporate or financial perspective.

Austin is a much sexier name than New Orleans, Indy or even Houston. The NHL also wants to be first to an up and coming market like they were in Vegas, and they've seen the success (corporate and ticketing) that Austin FC has had.

[ATX2030]

Originally Posted by LiveattheOasis

NHL has no interest in San Antonio. Not their market from a corporate or financial perspective.

Austin is a much sexier name than New Orleans, Indy or even Houston. The NHL also wants to be first to an up and coming market like they were in Vegas, and they've seen the success (corporate and ticketing) that Austin FC has had.

It'd be interesting if Bert "Tito" Beveridge ever decided to get involved. He's amassed 13k acres and counting in Bastrop. It has the potential to become a destination venue anchored by sports. Think arena (NHL, WNBA, concerts), ballpark (MLB), stadium (NFL, concerts), a couple of golf courses (PGA, LPGA) and anything else. Hotels, restaurants, bars, shopping. There's enough land for a couple high end subdivision as well. Years ago that was considered BFE but not so much anymore. In 20-30 years that will be considered close-in.

https://x.com/TheATX1/status/1844807493421002828

[chinchaaa]

Originally Posted by ATX2030

It'd be interesting if Bert "Tito" Beveridge ever decided to get involved. He's amassed 13k acres and counting in Bastrop. It has the potential to become a destination venue anchored by sports. Think arena (NHL, WNBA, concerts), ballpark (MLB), stadium (NFL, concerts), a couple of golf courses (PGA, LPGA) and anything else. Hotels, restaurants, bars, shopping. There's enough land for a couple high end subdivision as well. Years ago that was considered BFE but not so much anymore. In 20-30 years that will be considered close-in.

https://x.com/TheATX1/status/1844807493421002828

Who wants to drive all the way to Bastrop to go see a game? This stuff needs to be central/donwtown.

[ATX2030]

Originally Posted by chinchaaa

Who wants to drive all the way to Bastrop to go see a game? This stuff needs to be central/donwtown.

Ideally but we’re talking about Austin here. Ain’t ever happening.

[Croon]

I would hope Houston gets an NHL team. The city will have more demand for it, let them figure it out. Hell, they're still hoping to get a relaunch of WNBA Comets. We don't need anymore sports in Austin. We're way overdue on projects and priorities that can deliver to a lot more of the population.

I used to go to Express games. But they jacked their prices up after COVID and the drive up 35 for a Tuesday through Friday 7pm home game doesn't appeal to me given the rash of wrecks and shutdowns with the ongoing reconstruction. I'm uninterested in driving any part of it from 183 to 79. Maybe others are less interested in going too. Since pandemic (2020 canceled, returned in 2021), their game attendance is around 4500-5500. 2001-2019 they averaged 8500-9500 in 11,500 capacity stadium.

[Nickelplate]

Its easy to see the performance of Texas Royal Memorial, Moody Center and Q2 versus HEB Center and Dell Diamond. A new sports arena should be built near the city center. For any sport. Even COTA is a fringe destination for locals.

[Jdawgboy]

Location is a major factor. I have yet to attend an FC game 90% because of its location. I live near South Austin Medical Center and Q2's location clear across the city is not ideal for many south of the river. If we actually had rail down here then that would at least be a good option. Rideshare is too expensive round trip. If I'm going to a game, I'd like to have a couple of beverages but if I'm driving that isn't an option. On the other hand, I have been to both the UT stadium and Moody Center and yes location and easy access are a major reason.

[freerover]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

Location is a major factor. I have yet to attend an FC game 90% because of its location. I live near South Austin Medical Center and Q2's location clear across the city is not ideal for many south of the river. If we actually had rail down here then that would at least be a good option. Rideshare is too expensive round trip. If I'm going to a game, I'd like to have a couple of beverages but if I'm driving that isn't an option. On the other hand, I have been to both the UT stadium and Moody Center and yes location and easy access are a major reason.

There is a bus that will take you from south Austin to the door of Q2. So in the last 4 years, you have never been north of 183 for anything? At this point if you gave not been to an Austin FC game, it seems more likely you just don't want to go. Just take the bus or drive and don't get plastered.

[IluvATX]

Do those baseball fields next to Zilker ever even get used? Every time I’ve been in that area they look run down and unused. Neighborhood would hate it, but IMO that’s the ideal location for a new arena or (fantasy) MLB ballpark.

[freerover]

Originally Posted by IluvATX

Do those baseball fields next to Zilker ever even get used? Every time I’ve been in that area they look run down and unused. Neighborhood would hate it, but IMO that’s the ideal location for a new arena or (fantasy) MLB ballpark.

Privately financed stadiums like you would expect for Austin typically need a lot more space for adjacent development to make the finances work. Q2 worked but it was also only a couple hundred million. A new baseball stadium is going to be between 1-2B.