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ClayK · Posted: 01/14/19 10:14 am ::: Ideal size for a WNBA arena?

Posts on another thread got me thinking ...

So the big NBA arenas are too big. WCC and most likely the Mystics' new facility are too small.

I think a 10,000- to 12,000-seat arena is too big as well, as I don't think there's ever been a WNBA team that had close to that many actual bodies in seats more than once or twice a season.

My sense has always been that the teams that draw well put about 4,500 in the stands on a regular basis, but of course you want to have some wiggle room. (That said, there's nothing like selling out and having people not be able to get into a game to generate interest and season ticket sales.)

So I'd say a 7,500-seat arena would make the most sense to me. You'd be more than half full most of the time and get a few sellouts each year ...

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pilight · Posted: 01/14/19 10:38 am :::

8000-10000

Gotta leave some room for growth

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Richyyy · Posted: 01/14/19 10:53 am :::

Yeah, around 10k would work fine. But I do also think there's value in the perception of being a proper, big-time league when you play at places like MSG or Staples. Very few people give a damn about the NBA's G-League, and playing in out-of-the-way places in small gyms just feeds in to that feeling that it's kinda small-time, so why should you care? When the WNBA joins in and plays in Westchester or that DC gym that the Mystics are sharing with the Go-Go, the whole league feels like the G-League or Arena football or whatever - something you just ignore because it's of little consequence. Play in proper arenas and you look like a proper league.

And honestly, if you curtain off the top level of these arenas and get the lighting right, they often don't feel much different from actual 10-12k arenas - if you can actually come close to filling what's left. The only issue then is how much more the rent costs on the big places than on something smaller.

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myrtle · Posted: 01/14/19 12:39 pm :::

good points

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Nixtreefan · Posted: 01/14/19 12:59 pm :::

toad455 · Posted: 01/14/19 1:41 pm :::

Mohegan Sun is the ideal arena for the WNBA. I'd prefer something that has the option to expand to 13k-14k for when a team reaches the playoffs or finals as tickets demand increaes then.

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CamrnCrz1974 · Posted: 01/14/19 2:08 pm :::

Luuuc · #NATC

I agree that 8-10k is the ideal size for a WNBA arena.
(The reason I nominated 10-12k in the other thread was out of consideration for it being used for other purposes as well, such as concerts. With Barclays ~ 18k and MSG ~ 20k I think a new arena would be more viable at 10-12 even though it wouldn't be 100% perfect for the Libs)

I also think that location/accessibility is more important than size/design when it comes to attracting people to regular events.
When Perth got its new (13.5k) arena I really thought the men's basketball team would struggle to be viable there after previously playing in a 4.2k stadium, but they nailed the location for car/bus/train access and we get the highest attendances in the league now.

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NYL_WNBA_FAN · Posted: 01/14/19 9:39 pm :::

Can't believe this even required a thread as 2,300 is clearly the ideal size. The County Center, the only building in the league to accommodate this ideal size, is so intimate. Who cares if about one-third to one-half of the seats are partially obstructed.

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Happycappie25 · Posted: 01/14/19 11:02 pm :::

Randy · Posted: 01/15/19 9:05 am :::

I'd say a team wants an arena sized so that 80-90% of the seats are occupied by fans that are actually paying for tickets. It makes little sense to size an arena for non paying customers. That would allow the teams to charge more per seat and there would be more of an excitement factor at the games. So it would be different for each team. I'd guess than at least 25%* of all attendance are freebies (if not outright lies) so I'd put the number at 5-6k for the average team. As Luuc noted though - location is probably the most important variable. Sadly, it seems that no matter the size of the arena - WNBA teams can never get it more than 1/2 to 2/3 full.

*because 75% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
Wink

CamrnCrz1974 · Posted: 01/15/19 10:48 am :::

craigmont · Posted: 01/15/19 4:08 pm :::

Key Arena was pretty perfect for the Storm. The upper level could be opened up when needed.

CamrnCrz1974 · Posted: 01/15/19 6:39 pm :::

toad455 · Posted: 01/15/19 6:46 pm :::

DFWub2018 · Posted: 01/17/19 1:29 pm :::

ClayK,

I think perfect arena is the CPC, this has been the opinion of many in and around the league!

CamrnCrz1974 · Posted: 01/17/19 2:01 pm :::

DFWub2018 · Posted: 01/17/19 6:12 pm :::

Damn, I tried 😜

WNBA 09 · Posted: 01/17/19 9:38 pm :::

tfan · Posted: 01/17/19 10:19 pm :::

DFWub2018 · Posted: 01/18/19 7:32 am :::

WNBA 09,

Daaaaaaammmuuuhhh, you live Uptown, I had a feeling you were balling like that, but you can tell by alot of your postings that you have a down to earth personality!

I certainly understand how difficult it is with the commute by having to leave work in GP, be trapped in the absolute maddness of 360 to 20 to 287 to Mansfield, shower and get dressed, then turn around and do the whole entire process over again back to Arlington! I'm lucky to make it there before the second quarter is over during the weekday games, that's why I pray for the most weekend games as possible!!!

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