THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 23, 1996 TAG: 9602230015
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 35 lines
Many people in this area - a lot of them leading businessmen and political leaders - have been pushing for a modern indoor arena for major-league hockey and basketball.
This big push is fueled by the belief that this is a major metropolitan area. It probably is, according to the total population figures, but is it major-league in income?
It behooves those who think we are major league to check the admission charges for an NBA or NHL contest. And, remember, these franchises must have consistently high attendance figures over a 40-to-50-game home schedule to succeed.
Someone should make an intensive study of how many people hereabout can pay high admission fees. We're not talking about International League admission; we're talking about prices twice as high or more. Who's going to buy the many luxury boxes that must be sold? How many block-ticket sales, which are a must, are likely?
Add the parking fees, the cost of refreshments, a program - the total is $100 or more for a family of four.
Having lived here all of my 70 years and having expressed my opinion publicly before, I still maintain that Norfolk is basically a ``hamburger town.'' Maybe I'll live long enough to be proved wrong. I hope so.
LENNY GOODMAN
Norfolk, Feb. 2, 1996 by CNB