A-Rod wants new Wolves/Lynx arena asap

[CloniesForLife]

They are which is why the farmers market area between 94 and Target Field has always been a point of discussion for any sports arena talk. The congestion there is already insane so can’t imagine what it would be like with an arena there.

That would be interesting but yeah it is pretty congested. Wonder if there could be some synergy there with Target Field though. The whole North Loop Area is booming and that would move it closer to that though.

 

[Cyhig]

Current site was pretty tight by 1990 standards. It is really tight by today's standards. Kind of like how when they tore down the Metrodome and rebuilt, they turned the field 90 degrees so the old MD length essentially became the width of the new stadium. More concourse width, more amenities, more clubs, etc. are all demanded in new arenas/stadia.

Good points. They made Target field work using more space than land space. But a basketball arena is different

The biggest attraction to the current site is no transportation infrastructure would be required

 

[NWICY]

They'll also have to pay to get out of their current lease at Target Center. I think they have something like 7 years remaininng on it.

It would take at least 5 yrs to build wouldnt it, by the time you get a site located, permits etc. ..?

 

[dahliaclone]

I don't know when you were last in a suite but the majority of the suites are much improved over what they were pre 2017. There are just a few suites that remain untouched.

It’s definitely improved but I guess to me even the nicest suites are kinda meh. Good friend is c level hr person for target corp and we go to games in their half court suites often. It’s nice. But for best of the best location in there it’s nothing to brag about.

 

[Clonehomer]

So….is A-rod paying for this or is he expecting everyone else to pay for it while he rakes in the money that comes from it? I guess I could see if the city kept ownership of the entertainment district around the stadium, but I’m sure that’ll also go to the team owners as well. Cause somehow that’s the expectation now.

 

[Iastfan112]

I will admit, it has been nearly 15 year since I've been in the TC, so I'm probably wrong. And even now... it's outdated. Yes the renovations were nice, but it put lipstick on a pig essentially.

Side note... this was an interesting read:

Lore, A-Rod Re-Up on Threat to Privately Fund New Timberwolves Arena

The new Minnesota Timberwolves owners are making a new arena top priority... and they're threatening to pay for the entire thing.

www.minnesotasportsfan.com

Would the state really WANT out on everything a new arena brings?​

Whether it’s private or public investments, they’ll need financial help building their new home. What Lore made clear is that a new Minnesota Timberwolves “footprint” facility is not reliant on government assistance.

But… do you believe in FOMO? Because both the state of Minnesota and city of Minneapolis profit from their major investments into US Bank Stadium and Target Field. Why? Because those utilities were paid for in billions of dollars worth of public funds, and both are considered “publicly owned”. And if the Minnesota Timberwolves build a new arena in the Twin Cities, will the public sector really want to miss out on all the future revenue it will generate? On top of that, does the state really want to lose all control of what happens in the future with the Timberwolves’ new home? Probably not."

This article is nonsense. Sure you miss out on a few smatterings of revenue from events/rent if you build it with public funds but those only partially offset the hundreds of millions(or even +1 billion) you have to outlay to build the thing. All the other dollars will be there whether it is private or publicly funded. Oh and you get to avoid the inevitable carping from the team about how the venue needs expensive upgrades halfway through it's life.