THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 23, 1996 TAG: 9602230014
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 31 lines
Regarding the consultant for a 20,000-seat indoor sports arena in Hampton Roads: I was in San Antonio this past weekend. The NBA all-star game was held and generated a good deal of news and editorials. The news media bemoaned the fact that the San Antonio Spurs, although leading the NBA Midwest Division, had lost 9 percent in attendance this year. Attendance was running just over 18,000 per game, down from 20,000 the previous season.
Scalpers for the all-star game had complained of their inability to obtain real money for their tickets.
I was told that a decent seat at a Spurs game runs $45, a soft drink $2.50 and a beer $4.
The news articles and editorials questioned whether San Antonio really had a financial base within its population to support the team.
This should strongly be taken into consideration before any decision on a sports facility is made. Hope doesn't pay bills.
When I returned from San Antonio, I read of Sweetpea Whitaker's troubles. He did not make the news in San Antonio.
RICHARD S. McLELLON
Norfolk, Feb. 14, 1996 by CNB