THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 19, 1994 TAG: 9411190289
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: By MYLENE MANGALINDAN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 112 lines
How can Hampton Roads can shed its label as the nation's largest metropolitan area without a major-league sports team?
By building a 20,000-seat arena, then pursue a big-league franchise - most likely a National Hockey League team - according to a report released Friday by the Hampton Roads Sports Authority.
A $100,000 study, commissioned jointly by the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and Old Dominion University, concluded that Hampton Roads could support an NHL franchise, but that the Sports Authority and ODU should not build an arena together.
The study recommended the Sports Authority, an agency composed of representatives from the major cities in Hampton Roads, construct its own 20,000-seat arena for an NHL franchise and that ODU build a separate, on-campus arena for its purposes.
A professional hockey team would be the most feasible because it's the least expensive of all major-league sports, said Arthur L. Collins, executive director/secretary with the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and a Sports Authority administrator.
Public officials and business people have extolled the virtues of gaining a professional sports team for years. Not only would it help create greater regional identity, but it would put Hampton Roads on the national map as a destination.
``What we're lacking is that regional identification with something,'' Collins said. ``If we're going to move up to the big leagues, this may be the vehicle to do it.''
About six months ago, the two organizations authorized HOK Sport, the Kansas City architectural firm that built Harbor Park in Norfolk for the Tides, to undertake the two-part study. The consultant team examined two issues: whether the market could support a professional sports franchise and whether an arena should be pursued jointly by the Sports Authority and ODU.
ODU had planned to build an enclosed convocation center and athletic facility, which it considered pursuing in conjunction with the Sports Authority. But consultants recommended against a joint venture.
``Your needs are different,'' said Michael Bogucki, a consultant from Buffalo, N.Y.-based Paradigm, which is working with HOK on the project. ``If a professional sports team is going to be the anchor tenant, a sports team must have priority in scheduling, revenue-sharing, et cetera.''
ODU officials hid their disappointment at the consultants' conclusion, which was presented separately to ODU officials Friday afternoon.
``I am pleased that the consultant's report addressed the feasibility of a major indoor sports facility in cooperation with Old Dominion University's Convocation Center.'' ODU athletic director Jim Jarrett said in a prepared statement. ``The recommendation that the University and the Sports Authority of Hampton Roads evaluate their own development needs as independent projects seems prudent.''
The study's conclusion that the market can support an NHL team appeared to confirm the Sports Authority's feeling that big-league sports could flourish here despite the two 10,000-seat facilities already here - Norfolk's Scope and the Hampton Coliseum.
What looks great on paper, however, might be hard to implement.
Major issues of funding still must be studied and resolved. The going price for an NHL team is $120 million, said Blake Cullen, owner of the Hampton Roads Admirals, a Norfolk-based minor-league team.
``It's a little cheaper than an NFL team and about the same as an NBA team,'' he said. ``There's no set price.''
The NHL reportedly is interested in locating more teams in the Southeast. The 26-team league, which added two teams a year ago in San Jose and Tampa Bay, has no teams between Tampa and Washington. Atlanta and Charlotte are among the cities hoping to snag teams in the NHL's next expansion, whenever that might be.
Whether the area has a person or a group with enough backing to finance a major-league team is another issue.
``I think the question still remains who's going to fund an NHL franchise,'' said Dave Rosenfield, general manager of the Tides. ``To me, it's questionable if this area can support an event that costs $25 to $30 a game ticket.
``That's the key question because I can't believe anyone would start construction without knowing that someone was available to foot the bill for a franchise.''
Tides owner Ken Young agreed with the two-arena recommendation.
``I've said all along that this area needed separate arenas,'' he said. ``It's the only way to go to attract a major winter sports franchise. It's about revenue streams, availability, dates, et cetera.
``As for the area being able to support an NHL franchise, there's a lot of work to do, but I agree completely. We could support an NHL team. But realistically, the team needs to be awarded here before a commitment should be made to build a facility.''
A premier arena could cost from $75 million to $80 million, Cullen said. Tickets for those games could cost from $35 to $40. In a price-sensitive arealike Hampton Roads, residents may not have pockets deep enough for those prices.
A site for the arena, whether downtown or suburban, also needs to be chosen - a tough task in an area with such competitive cities.
In addition, the Sports Authority's track record of supporting successful projects has yet to be proven. Started in 1986 to pursue a NASCAR speedway, the Sports Authority eventually lost the project after volunteers invested time and money.
The second phase of the consultants' study will address possible sites and financial feasibility, but the Sports Authority will not meet again until after Jan. 1.
Despite all these drawbacks and unresolved issues, representatives of the Sports Authority hope that differences among the cities could be put aside to pursue a greater purpose.
``A professional franchise is not interested in interjurisdictional bickering,'' Collins said. ``It is interested in making money.'' MEMO: Staff writer Jim Ducibella contributed to this story.
by CNB