Sioux Falls Arena Problem

[jackrabbit1979]

Re: Sioux Falls Arena Problem

I talked to an individual affiliated with the new facility being constructed in Fargo. He was 100% confident that they would be hosting the tourney beginning in 2013. He wouldn't speak about specifics but the facility will be considerably larger than the arena and of course, brand new. So, I don't think we'll have to worry about these other concerns. We'll be making travel plans to Fargo. Things certainly might change but I wouldn't count on it.

Like somebody said, their envision has moved to completely renovating the BSA versus building a Fargodome addition. That improved BSA could not host the Summit League tourney, no matter how fancy it is, because it would be the home court of the Bison.

In other news...how well will it go over in Sioux Falls if Sanford Health throws an obscene amount of money into a brand new arena in Fargo when an events center/arena can't get worked out in Sioux Falls?

[RowdyRabbit]

Re: Sioux Falls Arena Problem

What happens with the Summit tournament in 2 years if SDSU and NDSU men have 18+ win seasons at the same time USD enters the tournament (perhaps with 18 wins of their own)?

This is when I quote a certain controversial wide reciever in the NFL

"Getcha popcorn ready."

That's what happens!

[zooropa]

Re: Sioux Falls Arena Problem

I talked to an individual affiliated with the new facility being constructed in Fargo. He was 100% confident that they would be hosting the tourney beginning in 2013. He wouldn't speak about specifics but the facility will be considerably larger than the arena and of course, brand new. So, I don't think we'll have to worry about these other concerns. We'll be making travel plans to Fargo. Things certainly might change but I wouldn't count on it.

Several problems with that:

1) The BSA expansion isn't projected to be larger than the Arena

2) The BSA isn't available as a tourney venue

3) The Fargodome is not better than the Arena, as a basketball venue

4) No TV package (Midcontinent does not serve Fargo)

5) Sponsorship money. While speculation is that Microsoft and others would shell out dollars to make the tournament happen in Fargo, I'm not sure that the state of North Dakota would kick in what the state of South Dakota has kicked in.

6) No attendance track record. With all due respect to Bison fans, basketball attendance wasn't that great up there, nor was the Bison contingent to the tournament this year all that impressive. Given the failure of the CBA team, as compared to the success of the Skyforce, there are legitimate questions, IMO, about the willingness of Fargoans to support basketball in general, when they won't even drag themselves to see their 'home team' play in any meaningful quantities.

In short, I think SF & SD will outbid Fargo, I think they have at least as lousy a facility as Fargo, they will have a TV package in hand, and I think the tournament can be comfortably expected to draw better in Sioux Falls.

[JACKGUYII]

Re: Sioux Falls Arena Problem

I talked to an individual affiliated with the new facility being constructed in Fargo. He was 100% confident that they would be hosting the tourney beginning in 2013. He wouldn't speak about specifics but the facility will be considerably larger than the arena and of course, brand new. So, I don't think we'll have to worry about these other concerns. We'll be making travel plans to Fargo. Things certainly might change but I wouldn't count on it.

What new facilty? The current plan is to renovate the BSA. The proposed new facility connected to the dome is dead. Some over on Bisonville is speculating that Sanford will build it, but don't see that happening.

[filbert]

Re: Sioux Falls Arena Problem

I talked to an individual affiliated with the new facility being constructed in Fargo. He was 100% confident that they would be hosting the tourney beginning in 2013. He wouldn't speak about specifics but the facility will be considerably larger than the arena and of course, brand new. So, I don't think we'll have to worry about these other concerns. We'll be making travel plans to Fargo. Things certainly might change but I wouldn't count on it.

How long ago? Last I saw NDSU was backing off on a new arena and looking at an extensive BSA renovation.

[jackmd]

Re: Sioux Falls Arena Problem

I talked to an individual affiliated with the new facility being constructed in Fargo. He was 100% confident that they would be hosting the tourney beginning in 2013. He wouldn't speak about specifics but the facility will be considerably larger than the arena and of course, brand new. So, I don't think we'll have to worry about these other concerns. We'll be making travel plans to Fargo. Things certainly might change but I wouldn't count on it.

[RabbitObsessed]

Re: Sioux Falls Arena Problem

Would ESPN show up for more than the finals?

Not unless Duke joined the Summit League.

[SF_Rabbit_Fan]

Folks have been hashing out the scoreboard issue in other threads, this isn't about that.

The Sioux Falls Arena has an approximate capacity of 7000 according to city-data.com.

What happens with the Summit tournament in 2 years if SDSU and NDSU men have 18+ win seasons at the same time USD enters the tournament (perhaps with 18 wins of their own)? And the SDSU women are as good as they are now. Would it be outlandish to assume the ENTIRE tournament could be a sellout via all session pass sales? They sold 3000 all session passes this year when the xDSU's were mediocre at best and there was no guarantee the women would see the finals.

Assuming all that happens (a bit of a long shot), would the Summit have to move?

Would Sioux Falls be forced to build a larger arena?

Could we see a Summit League tournament played in Sioux City at the Tyson events center?

Would ESPN show up for more than the finals?

How long before Douple moves on to bigger and better?

For the Summit League, it would be a great problem to have, and it is interesting to think about.