Sports in Austin - Page 103

lonewolf · #**2041** Posted **Mar 11, 2023, 4:55 PM**

no room for grandstands/gallery at any of the barton creek courses

paul78701 · #**2042** Posted **Apr 20, 2023, 1:24 PM**

Oakland A's agree to purchase land near Las Vegas Strip:
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...as-vegas-strip

I'm not sure many really thought that there was much chance of the A's moving to Austin, but any lingering speculation of such can be put to rest now.

atxsnail · #**2043** Posted **Apr 20, 2023, 2:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul78701

Oakland A's agree to purchase land near Las Vegas Strip:
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...as-vegas-strip

I'm not sure many really thought that there was much chance of the A's moving to Austin, but any lingering speculation of such can be put to rest now.

Am I the only one who doubts Vegas' ability to seriously support 3 major sports franchises? The Raiders are probably the only ones who can rely on any material amount of tourism. The Las Vegas/Henderson/Paradise metro area has fewer people and a lower GDP than San Antonio/New Braunfels...

DougRockstead · #**2044** Posted **Apr 20, 2023, 2:55 PM**

As a fan of the Raiders I can tell you what will happen.
Casinos will buy scores of tickets and then give them away as comps to the regulars so they can go see the game. That is why the Raiders have the highest ticket prices to NFL games. They can move them.

Many fans like myself are shocked to see the price go from$80 to $300+ for the cheap seats. It used to be going to a Raiders game was an event for the fans and the stadium would be full of Raiders fans dressed in black or some crazy costume. Fans from others teams didn't want to go due to the bad reputation of Raiders fans.

Now... games have lots of empty seats and it seems like there are more non-Raiders fans at those games than there are Raiders fans.

So can Vegas support 3 pro franchises?

As long as the Casinos continue to buy buckets of tickets to give away as comps, the answer is yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by atxsnail

Am I the only one who doubts Vegas' ability to seriously support 3 major sports franchises? The Raiders are probably the only ones who can rely on any material amount of tourism. The Las Vegas/Henderson/Paradise metro area has fewer people and a lower GDP than San Antonio/New Braunfels...

ATX2030 · #**2045** Posted **Apr 20, 2023, 3:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by atxsnail

Am I the only one who doubts Vegas' ability to seriously support 3 major sports franchises? The Raiders are probably the only ones who can rely on any material amount of tourism. The Las Vegas/Henderson/Paradise metro area has fewer people and a lower GDP than San Antonio/New Braunfels...

Absolutely and the NBA will join that group in the future.

Have a friend who works in the hospitality industry here in the ATX and was told how much the Trailblazers, Timberwolves and especially the Spurs raved about staying and playing in Austin. They, especially the Spurs players and staff, loved the vibe of the city and said they wished they could split their season playing half here and half in S.A.

Young, rich, eclectic millionaires want live and play in places like that and Vegas definitely fits that mold. Vegas will get a team be it by relocation or expansion.

GoldenBoot · #**2046** Posted **Apr 20, 2023, 4:20 PM**

I was thinking about this the other day - and it's an interesting exercise...

If a group were to attempt to bring a MLB team to Austin, where (realistically) would be the options for a stadium?

-They will need at least 7-10 acres of land. And, lets assume the group will not build a dome.
-It must be easily accessible by several modes of transport - thus, should be near major public transit and/or freeway - if not walkable from major population center.
-I think it needs to also be near some sort of pre and post game entertainment (shops, bars, restaurants, lodging, etc.).
-Oh, keep in mind the direction of the field (as in this exercise, the group is not building a dome). So, prevailing winds and sunlight must be taken into account given our position on the planet.

What else am I missing?

atxsnail · #**2047** Posted **Apr 20, 2023, 4:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

I was thinking about this the other day - and it's an interesting exercise...

If a group were to attempt to bring a MLB team to Austin, where (realistically) would be the options for a stadium?

-They will need at least 7-10 acres of land. And, lets assume the group will not build a dome.
-It must be easily accessible by several modes of transport - thus, should be near major public transit and/or freeway - if not walkable from major population center.
-I think it needs to also be near some sort of pre and post game entertainment (shops, bars, restaurants, lodging, etc.).
-Oh, keep in mind the direction of the field (as in this exercise, the group is not building a dome). So, prevailing winds and sunlight must be taken into account given our position on the planet.

What else am I missing?

I don't think this type of spot as described really exists in Austin without requiring a ton of very complicated land aquisition and demolition. The only spot that comes close in my mind is the wooded area west of Pickle Research Campus. Also they're not building Wrigleys anymore. If anywhere it would go in the suburbs like the new Braves or Rangers stadiums.

ATX2030 · #**2048** Posted **Apr 20, 2023, 4:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

I was thinking about this the other day - and it's an interesting exercise...

If a group were to attempt to bring a MLB team to Austin, where (realistically) would be the options for a stadium?

-They will need at least 7-10 acres of land. And, lets assume the group will not build a dome.
-It must be easily accessible by several modes of transport - thus, should be near major public transit and/or freeway - if not walkable from major population center.
-I think it needs to also be near some sort of pre and post game entertainment (shops, bars, restaurants, lodging, etc.).
-Oh, keep in mind the direction of the field (as in this exercise, the group is not building a dome). So, prevailing winds and sunlight must be taken into account given our position on the planet.

What else am I missing?

It would have to be a domed stadium, an open air stadium is a non-starter. The Rangers tried with an open air venue and came to a very expensive conclusion, fans and players want and need a/c during our Texas summers.

As far as location the n/e corner of UT Pickle Research Campus. You've got Q2 and the future development there as well as The Domain, plus great road and rail access.

Whoever builds the stadium could have the same arrangement as the Moody Center. It's constructed on land owned by UT but privately-financed through a partnership like Oak View Group, Live Nation/ C3 Presents did with the Moody.

East7thStreet · #**2049** Posted **Apr 20, 2023, 5:29 PM**

Most MLB parks face NorthEast because of the direction of the sun in relation to batters and fielders.

That means the ideal scenic location near downtown would be the Auditorium shores, Palmer Events Center, Butler Park area. Fans would have the downtown skyline as a back drop to the game. There is plenty of room there but it would mean demoing part of the parking garage/event center or part of the park......

Putting the stadium within walking distance to downtown would also be the ideal location in relation to transportation/bar/restaurants. We are talking 25,000 to 40,000 people making the trip 81 plus times a year....

the Genral · #**2050** Posted **Apr 20, 2023, 5:45 PM**

Long before the current plans for the AAS site, I chopped a stadium there on my 'what if' thread.

GoldenBoot · #**2051** Posted **Apr 20, 2023, 5:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATX2030

It would have to be a domed stadium, an open air stadium is a non-starter. The Rangers tried with an open air venue and came to a very expensive conclusion, fans and players want and need a/c during our Texas summers.

I disagree. I don't believe it "would have to be domed."

Arlington Stadium was a failure not because it wasn't domed - it was because it was designed with no opening to allow for natural breezes to circulate through the stadium.

Atlanta is pretty dang stifling in the summer...they don't have a domed baseball stadium.

I feel domed stadiums are more about the ego of the owner(s) than practicality.

AusTex · #**2052** Posted **Apr 20, 2023, 6:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by East7thStreet

....the ideal scenic location near downtown would be the Auditorium shores, Palmer Events Center, Butler Park area. Fans would have the downtown skyline as a back drop to the game. There is plenty of room there but it would mean demoing part of the parking garage/event center or part of the park......

I seriously doubt that location would ever get approved! Ideal, maybe, but never happening in Austin. Parkland is to fight over here.

ILUVSAT · #**2053** Posted **Apr 20, 2023, 6:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by East7thStreet

We are talking 25,000 to 40,000 people making the trip 81 plus times a year....

Just so we're clear...nobody will ever build a new, 25,000-seat MLB stadium. The average seating capacity of MLB stadiums is just under 43,000.

Technically, Tropicana Field in Tampa is the smallest by capacity at 25,000 (since 2019). However, the stadium was built with a capacity of just under 43,000. Also, as most of us are aware, the ownership group is looking to get out of Tampa.

The next smallest is Progressive Field in Cleveland - at roughly 35,000.

I think the sweet spot for Austin would be between 37,000 and 39,000. That would be in-line with Boston, KC, Minneapolis, and Pittsburgh.

Petco, in San Diego and GlobeLife, in Arlington, are roughly the same size at 40,300 seats...

East7thStreet · #**2054** Posted **Apr 20, 2023, 7:35 PM**

Average MLB attendance in 2022 was 26,843. A new MLB team is Austin would probably average much higher (considering Austin FC sells every game out).

Echostatic · #**2055** Posted **Apr 20, 2023, 8:07 PM**

The new Vegas stadium is supposed to be only 35k capacity from what I've read.

StoOgE · #**2056** Posted **Apr 20, 2023, 8:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by East7thStreet

Average MLB attendance in 2022 was 26,843. A new MLB team is Austin would probably average much higher (considering Austin FC sells every game out).

There is nearly 3x the home baseball games as soccer games.

lzppjb · #**2057** Posted **Apr 20, 2023, 8:47 PM**

Stadium needs a retractable roof.

It would be amazing to get it someplace on the river and have home runs land in the water like in San Francisco. Could have kayakers outside the stadium waiting. I'd say around 35,000 capacity would suffice. Design it with comfort in mind. Quality seats, not quantity. Lots of luxury suites and boxes. Wide, comfortable seats with leg room in the grandstands.

lzppjb · #**2058** Posted **Apr 20, 2023, 8:48 PM**

My conundrum would be whether or not to support the new team. I've grown up a Rangers fan. Others have grown up Astros fans. I don't think I can drop 30 years of fandom to cheer for another team just because they're closer.

papertowelroll · #**2059** Posted **Apr 20, 2023, 8:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

I disagree. I don't believe it "would have to be domed."

Arlington Stadium was a failure not because it wasn't domed - it was because it was designed with no opening to allow for natural breezes to circulate through the stadium.

Atlanta is pretty dang stifling in the summer...they don't have a domed baseball stadium.

I feel domed stadiums are more about the ego of the owner(s) than practicality.

Austin is a bit hotter than Atlanta but more importantly the summer is much longer here.. I think open air stadium works ok if all games are at night like with MLS, but it's still hot as hell at those games. Day games in the Austin summer would be a nonstarter.

Overall a stadium by the Domain would probably be best if possible.. that could be a bit of a stadium district.

paul78701 · #**2060** Posted **Apr 20, 2023, 10:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by papertowelroll

Overall a stadium by the Domain would probably be best if possible.. that could be a bit of a stadium district.

Yep. The Domain area would probably be the front runner for any future stadiums.

WRT the A's news, it's good news for us Austinites hoping for a MLB team. If there is an ownership group out there looking to bring a team here, there is now one less high profile city to compete with.