Adam Silver: Portland needs a new arena, will be a challenge for new owner

[Tim Lehrbach]

If people want to speak, and many do, matter-of-factly about the NBA's lurch towards premium ticket/suite/experience buyers and treat this as the cost of doing business as an NBA city, then I'll be equally clear: cities should get out of the professional sports business. I love elite sport, but any model that depends for its degree profitability on enormous public subsidy is unsustainable and demands to be overturned. Hold the line and force owners to accept reasonable returns on their product. There are signs of hope that this tide is indeed turning following the peak years of stadium pork, but plenty of cities and states continue to cough up money. I would much rather see the Blazers relocate than see the people of Oregon fork over 2 billion dollars or whatever for a stadium they can't afford to go to. Moda Center is fine -- according to reasonable standards of what an arena should be. The members of the NBA cartel want to be able to both raise that bar and expect the public to pay for it. **** 'em. Maybe we can hope the Blazers get one of those megarich owners who won't care about incurring any new or renovated arena costs. I dunno.

[mighty_duck]

There needs to be some clear criteria, whether it be age of the arena, capacity, accessibility, specific features etc. Otherwise, this just sounds like an excuse.
I was in Madison Square Garden earlier this year, and with all due respect to the "Mecca of Basketball", Moda is better (which makes sense, considering MSG was build in the 60's, and Moda is from 1995).
Let's see Silver going after MSG!

[m0ng0]

How is it some places catch on and instead of being considered a dump its got this aura of classic and it's celebrated. Fenway Park, Wrigley field, MSG, Lambeau field, Soldier field, Dodger stadium, The Rose Bowl...its doesnt matter, if the team is good the seats will be filled no matter what.

[USER0023942]

I for one, will always be a Trailblazers fan, even if they relocate to Las Vegas or Seattle or heck even Winnipeg. The city on the jersey does not matter to me, I root for the franchise, the leadership, the players, the history, not some arbitrary location where they play basketball.

The Trailblazers, above all else! Silver, are you listening?!

[Wizenheimer]

at the very least, Portland needs to consider a major renovation of the Moda. I haven't been in the Moda for over 20 years. But other people have and I've read plenty of comparisons to the Moda of other like-aged arenas that have undergone renovations, and the Moda always loses those comparisons. Then factor in the lack of lodging and food options near the location

but the big problem with a major renovation is that it would shut down the Moda for at least a season, probably two. And where would the Blazers play during that time? And why would a new owner consider that acceptable?

I get the idea of the City & State simply saying no to the full cost of a new arena. Or even no to a majority of the cost. There actually are some principles involved, and the City could be justified in taking a stand and saying no

but I'd wonder: the Moda is about 30 years old. If a new arena would cost 1.5B, and thru bonds and other instruments that cost was somewhat amortized over a 30 year period.... what kind of annual economic would go toward offsetting that cost by keeping the Blazers in Portland. I mean, what is the annual economic impact of the Blazers to the city, and state? It has to be rather substantial...no? Has there ever been studies on this?

[PDXKnight]

at the very least, Portland needs to consider a major renovation of the Moda. I haven't been in the Moda for over 20 years. But other people have and I've read plenty of comparisons to the Moda of other like-aged arenas that have undergone renovations, and the Moda always loses those comparisons. Then factor in the lack of lodging and food options near the location

but the big problem with a major renovation is that it would shut down the Moda for at least a season, probably two. And where would the Blazers play during that time? And why would a new owner consider that acceptable?

I get the idea of the City & State simply saying no to the full cost of a new arena. Or even no to a majority of the cost. There actually are some principles involved, and the City could be justified in taking a stand and saying no

but I'd wonder: the Moda is about 30 years old. If a new arena would cost 1.5B, and thru bonds and other instruments that cost was somewhat amortized over a 30 year period.... what kind of annual economic would go toward offsetting that cost by keeping the Blazers in Portland. I mean, what is the annual economic impact of the Blazers to the city, and state? It has to be rather substantial...no? Has there ever been studies on this?

Im sure studies have been done but who knows how much. Seems like politicians especially Ron wyden are big on sports teams here so hopefully whatever it takes they find a way preferably one that mostly avoids the mess that is the Portland city council.

At the surface id think if its a new arena tear down the coliseum and leave moda standing. The coliseum is a pile of crap, needs to be torn down anyhow. If its a renovation then it would almost need to be the coliseum unless moda could be renovated with reduced seating during that process which is sometimes possible. Just fix the lower part of the arena during the 6 months they aren't playing (and maybe negotiate with the NBA to end a season and start the next with a large road trip to accomodate?). But as a skilled trades/ construction worker myself I can say all that equipment tool boxes materiala etc etc take up a good amount of space and lay down areas in a job that large which would mean likely reduced parking, reduced seating, and kind of a mess during that period of time. But you'd think theyd prioritize the lower bowl area and whatever other areas of the arena are most essential to operation on game nights and bust the upper seating areas out later making it maybe possible to operate at 10-13k seats for a season perhaps at least getting them to similar levels to the coliseum.

Would be nice if they could throw a bunch of people at it and sometimes thats doable but other times you have electricians, plumbers, hvac, tinners, fitters, iron workers, painters, and every other trade trying to work in the same small space all claiming theyre the priority unless the general contractor has their ish down to a tee on scheduling (which never happens)

[oldfishermen]

at the very least, Portland needs to consider a major renovation of the Moda. I haven't been in the Moda for over 20 years. But other people have and I've read plenty of comparisons to the Moda of other like-aged arenas that have undergone renovations, and the Moda always loses those comparisons. Then factor in the lack of lodging and food options near the location

but the big problem with a major renovation is that it would shut down the Moda for at least a season, probably two. And where would the Blazers play during that time? And why would a new owner consider that acceptable?

I get the idea of the City & State simply saying no to the full cost of a new arena. Or even no to a majority of the cost. There actually are some principles involved, and the City could be justified in taking a stand and saying no

but I'd wonder: the Moda is about 30 years old. If a new arena would cost 1.5B, and thru bonds and other instruments that cost was somewhat amortized over a 30 year period.... what kind of annual economic would go toward offsetting that cost by keeping the Blazers in Portland. I mean, what is the annual economic impact of the Blazers to the city, and state? It has to be rather substantial...no? Has there ever been studies on this?

While the Blazers make some positive economic impact. Much, if not all, would be lost if taxpayer wealth is tranfered to the team to build a new arena.

There is a long list of intangibles to weigh.. Which would benifit the most people? The same funds were used to improve education, health care, public safety, and infrastructure. Or. Build an arena for the wealthy team owners, weathy players and wealthy fans?

Much of the limited positive impact made by fans spending could be tranfered to other local businesses.

I am not against building a new arena, IF, the team pays for it.

[Wizenheimer]

Spoiler:

at the very least, Portland needs to consider a major renovation of the Moda. I haven't been in the Moda for over 20 years. But other people have and I've read plenty of comparisons to the Moda of other like-aged arenas that have undergone renovations, and the Moda always loses those comparisons. Then factor in the lack of lodging and food options near the location

but the big problem with a major renovation is that it would shut down the Moda for at least a season, probably two. And where would the Blazers play during that time? And why would a new owner consider that acceptable?

I get the idea of the City & State simply saying no to the full cost of a new arena. Or even no to a majority of the cost. There actually are some principles involved, and the City could be justified in taking a stand and saying no

but I'd wonder: the Moda is about 30 years old. If a new arena would cost 1.5B, and thru bonds and other instruments that cost was somewhat amortized over a 30 year period.... what kind of annual economic would go toward offsetting that cost by keeping the Blazers in Portland. I mean, what is the annual economic impact of the Blazers to the city, and state? It has to be rather substantial...no? Has there ever been studies on this?

While the Blazers make some positive economic impact. Much, if not all, would be lost if taxpayer wealth is tranfered to the team to build a new arena.

There is a long list of intangibles to weigh.. Which would benifit the most people? The same funds were used to improve education, health care, public safety, and infrastructure. Or. Build an arena for the wealthy team owners, weathy players and wealthy fans?

Much of the limited positive impact made by fans spending could be tranfered to other local businesses.

I am not against building a new arena, IF, the team pays for it.

do you have an data that supports that? I'm not being argumentative...I just don't know

the Moda is about 30 years old, so assume a 30 year lifespan of a new arena

and say the cost is 1.5B and the city floats most of the cost thru bonds. Then say the debt service on the bonds over 30 years is 600M. So, that's 2.1B in cost amortized over 30 years....70M/year. 3B in arena cost + 1.5B in debt service would be 100M/year

now, how much economic impact for an NBA team per year? There are hundreds of employees; concession and security contractors. Lodging, parking, food services. Some dollars are multipliers; some are residual. What is the economic impact of a single NBA game? and there are 41 a year, not counting playoffs. Then there is tax revenue...property tax for team facilities and homes of coaches, players, management, lodging taxes, etc

I'm not sure it it would completely offset 70M/year but I'd estimate it would be significant and could offeset

[Wizenheimer]

I am not against building a new arena, IF, the team pays for it.

a lot of times it seems like the compromise is the city provides the land, streets, roads, sewers, water, etc. Maybe some of the parking and added transit. And maybe, the city will underwrite some of the bonding needed for the project. And maybe gives a break on property taxes for a few years. And the owner pays for construction of the arena. That way, the owner can claim full depreciation costs on the building

or maybe I'm just talking out of my colon

[oldfishermen]

Spoiler:

at the very least, Portland needs to consider a major renovation of the Moda. I haven't been in the Moda for over 20 years. But other people have and I've read plenty of comparisons to the Moda of other like-aged arenas that have undergone renovations, and the Moda always loses those comparisons. Then factor in the lack of lodging and food options near the location

but the big problem with a major renovation is that it would shut down the Moda for at least a season, probably two. And where would the Blazers play during that time? And why would a new owner consider that acceptable?

I get the idea of the City & State simply saying no to the full cost of a new arena. Or even no to a majority of the cost. There actually are some principles involved, and the City could be justified in taking a stand and saying no

but I'd wonder: the Moda is about 30 years old. If a new arena would cost 1.5B, and thru bonds and other instruments that cost was somewhat amortized over a 30 year period.... what kind of annual economic would go toward offsetting that cost by keeping the Blazers in Portland. I mean, what is the annual economic impact of the Blazers to the city, and state? It has to be rather substantial...no? Has there ever been studies on this?

While the Blazers make some positive economic impact. Much, if not all, would be lost if taxpayer wealth is tranfered to the team to build a new arena.

There is a long list of intangibles to weigh.. Which would benifit the most people? The same funds were used to improve education, health care, public safety, and infrastructure. Or. Build an arena for the wealthy team owners, weathy players and wealthy fans?

Much of the limited positive impact made by fans spending could be tranfered to other local businesses.

I am not against building a new arena, IF, the team pays for it.

do you have an data that supports that? I'm not being argumentative...I just don't know

the Moda is about 30 years old, so assume a 30 year lifespan of a new arena

and say the cost is 1.5B and the city floats most of the cost thru bonds. Then say the debt service on the bonds over 30 years is 600M. So, that's 2.1B in cost amortized over 30 years....70M/year. 3B in arena cost + 1.5B in debt service would be 100M/year

now, how much economic impact for an NBA team per year? There are hundreds of employees; concession and security contractors. Lodging, parking, food services. Some dollars are multipliers; some are residual. What is the economic impact of a single NBA game? and there are 41 a year, not counting playoffs. Then there is tax revenue...property tax for team facilities and homes of coaches, players, management, lodging taxes, etc

I'm not sure it it would completely offset 70M/year but I'd estimate it would be significant and could offeset

https://www.stlouisfed.org/publications/regional-economist/april-2001/should-cities-pay-for-sports-facilities#:~:text=Economic%20impact%20studies%20also%20tend,thereby%20%22creating%22%20new%20spending

[DaVoiceMaster]

Madison Square Garden has been around since 1968. What does a remodel cost versus a new building?

[Wizenheimer]

Madison Square Garden has been around since 1968. What does a remodel cost versus a new building?

the recent renovation was 1B

[DaVoiceMaster]

Madison Square Garden has been around since 1968. What does a remodel cost versus a new building?

the recent renovation was 1B

Well, that's a helluva lot cheaper than a whole new stadium.

[Wizenheimer]

Madison Square Garden has been around since 1968. What does a remodel cost versus a new building?

the recent renovation was 1B

Well, that's a helluva lot cheaper than a whole new stadium.

estimates of a new arena are in the 1-2B range