NFL New/Reconstructed Stadiums thread/Teams threaten to move

Jan 8, 2016
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I am not a Bears fan. However, the Bears moving out of Chicago would be a big disappointment. They are one of the blue bloods of the NFL with one of the most recognizable helmets and uniforms in any major sport. I hope they find a way to stay.
Baltimore colts were when I was young and look what happened and I forgot the raiders and the rams. I’m probably forgetting some team
 

IrishHerb

Senior
Oct 13, 2021
554
774
93
One reason I'm more of a high school and college fan than a fan of major league pro teams. Penn State will always be in Penna, Notre Dame in South Bend, etc, etc. The teams stay where they belong. Not like the pros.

Back when @LionJim and I were students and later teaching, there was an older professor who was a lifelong Dodgers fan. And even though they were then in Los Angeles, he continued to call them the Brooklyn Dodgers.
 

LionJim

Heisman
Oct 12, 2021
15,916
21,968
113
One reason I'm more of a high school and college fan than a fan of major league pro teams. Penn State will always be in Penna, Notre Dame in South Bend, etc, etc. The teams stay where they belong. Not like the pros.

Back when @LionJim and I were students and later teaching, there was an older professor who was a lifelong Dodgers fan. And even though they were then in Los Angeles, he continued to call them the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Yeah, Leon.
 
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BobPSU92

Heisman
Aug 22, 2001
44,863
36,814
113
They should be forced to give up "Chicago" in their name. Yeah- the Giants and Jets too.

Yep.

I’ve posted the following before. George Halas attended University of Illinois. When he founded Da Bears, he adopted U of I’s navy and orange.

If Da Bears move to Indiana, they should drop Chicago and change uniform colors. Red and white or black and gold. Whatever.


(I’m pretty sure U of I won’t follow Da Bears to Indiana.)
 
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Alphalion75

All-Conference
Oct 24, 2001
15,124
4,236
113
I am not a Bears fan. However, the Bears moving out of Chicago would be a big disappointment. They are one of the blue bloods of the NFL with one of the most recognizable helmets and uniforms in any major sport. I hope they find a way to stay.
Unfortunately the leadership in Chicago and Illinois don't place as much value on keeping the Bears. Read about the plight of Bloomer Chocolate. Sorry...no link.
 

KingLando

All-Conference
Nov 29, 2021
6,452
3,722
113
Isn't Hammond like a 20-30 minute drive under normal circumstances from Chicago?

It' essentially playing in a suburb of Chicago--I don't see the angst over this. The city failed to meet the Bears demand--this isn't a relocation. It's like if the Penguins were to play in Cranberry Township or the South Hills.
 

HarrisburgDave

All-Conference
Dec 29, 2016
1,259
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https://www.zerohedge.com/political...state-illinois-indiana-after-century-football

"Massive Fumble": Chicago Bears Leave Blue State Illinois For Indiana After Century Of Football​

I think it is way beyond time that cities stop this foolish chase after professional sports teams. Billions being spent on stadiums that are used ten times a year, at most? Every decade or so now the owners want the latest in "upgrades" to stadiums so more restaurants, entertainment, motels, etc. can be controlled by them adjacent to "their" stadiums. Meanwhile the businsesses that fed off the crowds find themselves canabalized to put more money in the pockets of team owners.

While I am on my rant.. In State College, now the home of professional sports teams, we are spending $700 million plus on stadium upgrades at a facility that can't draw for any events more than a dozen times a year. Meanwhile we are closing "branch" University campuses that made degrees available to working people and non traditional students in places like York County, that need true economic stimulus. I understand the BS spewed about the sports programs doing the fund raising, not the University. That of course is nonsense. It is a matter of priorities and mission.

Putting tens of millions a year into a small town like State College, isolated from the population centers of the Commonwealth by hours of travel thru mountains, does not well serve the citizens of the entire state. The State College campus should be allowed to dwindle and regional campuses, close to working people and families, should serve to educate future generations.
 
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BobPSU92

Heisman
Aug 22, 2001
44,863
36,814
113
I think it is way beyond time that cities stop this foolish chase after professional sports teams. Billions being spent on stadiums that are used ten times a year, at most? Every decade or so now the owners want the latest in "upgrades" to stadiums so more restaurants, entertainment, motels, etc. can be controlled by them adjacent to "their" stadiums. Meanwhile the businsesses that fed off the crowds find themselves canabalized to put more money in the pockets of team owners.

While I am on my rant.. In State College, now the home of professional sports teams, we are spending $700 million plus on stadium upgrades at a facility that can't draw for any events more than a dozen times a year. Meanwhile we are closing "branch" University campuses that made degrees available to working people and non traditional students in places like York County, that need true economic stimulus. I understand the BS spewed about the sports programs doing the fund raising, not the University. That of course is nonsense. It is a matter of priorities and mission.

Putting tens of millions a year into a small town like State College, isolated from the population centers of the Commonwealth by hours of travel thru mountains, does not well serve the citizens of the entire state. The State College campus should be allowed to dwindle and regional campuses, close to working people and families, should serve to educate future generations.

If you build it, they will come.

Plus, they winterized the sh|tters at Beaver Stadium, so it can be used for events year round.

😞
 
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HarrisburgDave

All-Conference
Dec 29, 2016
1,259
1,932
113
One reason I'm more of a high school and college fan than a fan of major league pro teams. Penn State will always be in Penna, Notre Dame in South Bend, etc, etc. The teams stay where they belong. Not like the pros.

Back when @LionJim and I were students and later teaching, there was an older professor who was a lifelong Dodgers fan. And even though they were then in Los Angeles, he continued to call them the Brooklyn Dodgers.
I don't know if I agree that these schools will always be in State College, South Bend, Tuscaloosa, etc. Money talks more than ever. If Notre Dame can be had for a billion dollars why wouldnt someone buy the team and play their games in Indianapolis, New York, Chicago, etc.? At one time I would think the idea is crazy, but no longer. In eight years or so an investment group could pay off the up front investment just with a BIG conference annual payment, and still make tens of millions on the ancillary income streams from stadium operations, naming rights, etc.

I would not be surprised if there isnt a group of fund managers already looking at swooping in to control a program or two at places like Notre Dame, Texas, Alabama or Michigan. Offer a huge payday to a school and offer professional management of their athletic business, general management of their sports teams, and administration of their operations. Take that headache from a University, give them a huge payment up front and a share of annual income, and take a program national.

It would only be "Maximizing Returns" in a rational way.
 
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AvalonJohn

Freshman
Oct 14, 2004
67
67
18
It's pretty impressive and quite an aggressive approach by the City. Not sure if they will be able to pull it all off, but give them credit for making an effort to keep the Bears in town.

The enclosed playing field will be a big help, and possibly be able to attract other events, such as NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, CFP Football Championship, Big Ten Football Championship and even....dare I say it.... a new bowl game.
Deep Dish Bowl ...... in case it happens I have the naming rights! Or maybe more appropriate for Chicago, The Deep **** Bowl ..... probably more likely.
 

CowbellMan

Senior
Feb 1, 2024
302
769
93
I think it is way beyond time that cities stop this foolish chase after professional sports teams. Billions being spent on stadiums that are used ten times a year, at most? Every decade or so now the owners want the latest in "upgrades" to stadiums so more restaurants, entertainment, motels, etc. can be controlled by them adjacent to "their" stadiums. Meanwhile the businsesses that fed off the crowds find themselves canabalized to put more money in the pockets of team owners.

While I am on my rant.. In State College, now the home of professional sports teams, we are spending $700 million plus on stadium upgrades at a facility that can't draw for any events more than a dozen times a year. Meanwhile we are closing "branch" University campuses that made degrees available to working people and non traditional students in places like York County, that need true economic stimulus. I understand the BS spewed about the sports programs doing the fund raising, not the University. That of course is nonsense. It is a matter of priorities and mission.

Putting tens of millions a year into a small town like State College, isolated from the population centers of the Commonwealth by hours of travel thru mountains, does not well serve the citizens of the entire state. The State College campus should be allowed to dwindle and regional campuses, close to working people and families, should serve to educate future generations.
At least Pegula donated half a billion dollars to Buffalo for economic development.
 

PSUFTG

All-Conference
Nov 1, 2021
2,510
3,751
113
With the brand-spanking new Bills stadium (which also came in about $700 Million over budget)

One can suppose that on a project of this size there will be some "oops" moments - but the explanations/excuses are like something out of Idiocracy or an episode of The Office.

With respect to the MUCH discussed realization that many of the very price seats - didn't have a way to, you know, actually see large parts of the field?
They had this to say:

"Populous responded to the social media outcry last week by essentially saying that this design was intentional. Jonathan Mallie, the managing director of Populous' Americas practice, had this to say:

"Starting with just the building type, stadiums in general or airports, these are some of the most complex buildings in the world that we have to deal with. When you think about that, all of design are trade-offs. And so one major thing that we wanted to do was alleviate as much congestion on the concourses as possible. Create open views from concourse. Old Highmark didn't have this.

"So, old Highmark you're going behind a wall and you're going to get your food, to get your drink. So we wanted to keep those stairwells out of that concourse and put them on that leading edge. And this is not unique to Buffalo. So there are 21 professional stadiums between the NFL and Major League Baseball – 14 of which in the NFL – that have the outboard stairs. It's common practice. It's a way to create those views from the concourse, alleviate the congestion. And so when you go and get your drink, you can actually catch a view of the game."


Right, yeah, that makes sense. The first thing I would consider when building an NFL stadium would be to make sure that the people who are standing in the concourses, getting another $20 beer and nachos served in a plastic football helmet, can see the game. Who cares if you can see it from your actual seats?"


Bills stadium excuses give Chiefs an invaluable Arrowhead 2.0 lesson
 

step.eng69

All-American
Nov 7, 2012
3,755
5,159
113
Right, yeah, that makes sense. The first thing I would consider when building an NFL stadium would be to make sure that the people who are standing in the concourses, getting another $20 beer and nachos served in a plastic football helmet,😂can see the game. Who cares if you can't see it from your actual seats?"


Bills stadium excuses give Chiefs an invaluable Arrowhead 2.0 lesson
Had the opportunity to attend a Bill's vs Colts game in old Baltimore Memorial Stadium via a credit union bus trip.
O.J. was playing for the Bills, my seat was located behind a steel column supporting the upper deck. Had to do a lot of rubber necking.
 

PSUFTG

All-Conference
Nov 1, 2021
2,510
3,751
113
At least Pegula donated half a billion dollars to Buffalo for economic development.
Wut????

I think that would be news to a lot of folks.
Aside from a few million to the Heritage Point thing, I am not aware - but maybe you had something in mind?


I do know he tossed a nice little tip into the kitty for NY Gov Hochul (a few hundred grand or so in campaign money).
Of course, that was after Hochul kicked in $600 Million of NY Taxpayer money for the new Bills Stadium, and Buffalo kicked in another $250 Million of taxpayer funds.
And who knows how much taxpayer money for the related infrastructure and on-going maintenance over the decades to come? Maybe a hell of a lot more added to that $850 Million.

An $850+ million of taxpayer funds, for a six-figure campaign contribution is a rather shrewd and beneficial business move. That's for sure. Seriously. (Around a 400,000% return on investment). Not the first time that political goodwill proves to be the greatest investment of all.
I'm sure those donations were a God-send when the stadium construction blew well over budget.

Maybe Neeli shoulda' kicked a few hundred thousand from her last raise, over to Josh Shapiro, and he would have taken the $ from the taxpayers to pay for the Beaver Stadium renovations? He is a pretty good "spinner" - he could have found a way to snake-oil a boondoggle like that to the public (one would think)
 

saturdaysarebetter

All-Conference
Jun 19, 2018
982
1,422
111
Yep.

I’ve posted the following before. George Halas attended University of Illinois. When he founded Da Bears, he adopted U of I’s navy and orange.

If Da Bears move to Indiana, they should drop Chicago and change uniform colors. Red and white or black and gold. Whatever.


(I’m pretty sure U of I won’t follow Da Bears to Indiana.)
With people considering if they should still be called the Chicago Bears or the Hammond Bears or the Indiana Bears, they should simply go with Da. They would literally be Da Bears.
 
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Nittering Nabob

All-Conference
Sep 17, 2024
3,368
3,180
113
Had the opportunity to attend a Bill's vs Colts game in old Baltimore Memorial Stadium via a credit union bus trip.
O.J. was playing for the Bills, my seat was located behind a steel column supporting the upper deck. Had to do a lot of rubber necking.
What were you expecting with Credit Union seats?
Bank-sourced seats would have been much better. 🙂
 

rudedude

Heisman
Sep 28, 2002
8,891
17,409
113
With the brand-spanking new Bills stadium (which also came in about $700 Million over budget)

One can suppose that on a project of this size there will be some "oops" moments - but the explanations/excuses are like something out of Idiocracy or an episode of The Office.

With respect to the MUCH discussed realization that many of the very price seats - didn't have a way to, you know, actually see large parts of the field?
They had this to say:

"Populous responded to the social media outcry last week by essentially saying that this design was intentional. Jonathan Mallie, the managing director of Populous' Americas practice, had this to say:

"Starting with just the building type, stadiums in general or airports, these are some of the most complex buildings in the world that we have to deal with. When you think about that, all of design are trade-offs. And so one major thing that we wanted to do was alleviate as much congestion on the concourses as possible. Create open views from concourse. Old Highmark didn't have this.

"So, old Highmark you're going behind a wall and you're going to get your food, to get your drink. So we wanted to keep those stairwells out of that concourse and put them on that leading edge. And this is not unique to Buffalo. So there are 21 professional stadiums between the NFL and Major League Baseball – 14 of which in the NFL – that have the outboard stairs. It's common practice. It's a way to create those views from the concourse, alleviate the congestion. And so when you go and get your drink, you can actually catch a view of the game."


Right, yeah, that makes sense. The first thing I would consider when building an NFL stadium would be to make sure that the people who are standing in the concourses, getting another $20 beer and nachos served in a plastic football helmet, can see the game. Who cares if you can see it from your actual seats?"


Bills stadium excuses give Chiefs an invaluable Arrowhead 2.0 lesson
I am a new Bills STH this year and I chose to invest in the upper level 3 rd row full well knowing there was a glass enclosed stairwell by our seats. The reason I chose that is because the PSL investment was much lower than other zones and my 10 tickets per year average $105/game. All the bs about this stadium is ridiculous. Our newly renovated Beaver Stadium West side seats are way more expensive than what I paid for my Bills tickets plus I have an actual chair back and not a friggin bleacher. And every time someone stands in front of you at a game it’s an obstructed view. So instead of just regurgitating what the “social media police” post, how about you do a little research or better yet, actually go to the venue to see what is real and not real.
IMG_6579.jpeg
 
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BobPSU92

Heisman
Aug 22, 2001
44,863
36,814
113
I am a new Bills STH this year and I chose to invest in the upper level 3 rd row full well knowing there was a glass enclosed stairwell by our seats. The reason I chose that is because the PSL investment was much lower than other zones and my 10 tickets per year average $105/game. All the bs about this stadium is ridiculous. Our newly renovated Beaver Stadium West side seats are way more expensive than what I paid for my Bills tickets plus I have an actual chair back and not a friggin bleacher. And every time someone stands in front of you at a game it’s an obstructed view. So instead of just regurgitating what the “social media police” post, how about you do a little research or better yet, actually go to the venue to see what is real and not real.
View attachment 1400510

“IN CASE OF FOOTBALL, BREAK GLASS”
 

Binder74

Senior
Nov 1, 2021
409
699
93
Had the opportunity to attend a Bill's vs Colts game in old Baltimore Memorial Stadium via a credit union bus trip.
O.J. was playing for the Bills, my seat was located behind a steel column supporting the upper deck. Had to do a lot of rubber necking.
I was at the playoff game with the plane crash.

 
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step.eng69

All-American
Nov 7, 2012
3,755
5,159
113
I was at the playoff game with the plane crash.

I remember that happening, thanks for the reminder, Binder.

 

Midnighter

Heisman
Jan 22, 2021
12,496
20,734
113
Kind of digging the designs for the new Browns stadium. Think this, along with Washington (DC) recent renderings, are really exciting. Time for Pittsburgh to nuke whatever it is they're calling their stadium these days too. Someone did an amazing rendering of what that could, but likely never will, look like (posted at the end).









Heinz/Pittsburgh Field Concept

 
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