DePaul passes on chance to play at the United Center

[Demon22]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ ... 8406.story

DePaul University has ruled out the United Center as a possible home for its Blue Demons men's basketball team, turning its attention to a site near McCormick Place, according to a source close to the United Center negotiations.

"DePaul had communications with the United Center recently that it intended to pursue a public building at McCormick Place," the source said.

Interesting decision...

One one hand, the UC was offering free rent and a boatload of perks to DePaul for the next 10 years. However, they'd have been 3rd (4th???) in line when it came to scheduling. However, they seem to be pursuing the option of building an arena/convention hall in the South Loop. It'll cost the school upwards of $75 million (...with the City kicking in $100 million, I believe) but they'll get to keep the proceeds from the sale of naming rights, and they'll get the first choice for dates.

Not sure if there's really a good or bad choice.

[Donnybrook]

The Rosemont Horizon is a dump by the airport, so a new home is desperately needed. If DePaul could ever get their stuff together Chicago would start to pay attention again. Until then going to DePaul game at the UC may be a lot like going to a Seton Hall game at the Prudential center. An empty NBA arena with crappy college basketball. Gotta put a good product on the floor to make the UC a good home. Same goes for SHU at the Rock.

Not sure how they will get taxpayer support for building in the Loop.

[yorost]

I think this was the good decision for their program, the United Center didn't sound more like an insurance plan on a new arena for themselves. DePaul was getting a terrible scheduling arrangement. That new place is something that sound like it will benefit their program the most in the long run.

[CFA Jay]

cannot blame them

[Masterofreality]

Taxpyer support for a private school to build an arena in a city that has financial problems now?

Good Luck.

[yorost]

If their games bring money into the city instead of the suburbs it could be a good investment. Besides, this doesn't sound like it will be a DePaul only building, but more of a joint venture.

It's also not like this would be the first time a private school received public funds. I believe Marquette has received millions from Wisconsin to aid their dental school since the UW system does not have one. Probably cheaper for them to work with Marquette than start a new program that will play second fiddle. If the city and DePaul both have a similar interest, it makes sense to work together.

[Demon22]

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... mick-place

Though the agency, known as McPier, is not now in the sporting business, it has more than $100 million in untapped bonding authority, funds that could be used to construct an arena. And adequate land is available within walking distance of McCormick Place and its large parking lots.

The public angle is that McCormick Place feels like they lose out on big events because they don't have a 10,000-seat convention hall. The arena site is close enough to the Exhibition Hall that there's been talk of a sky bridge to connect the two.

[QueRico]

Being low in the pecking order when it comes to scheduling is brutal.
With the Nets paying a premium to play @ the Rock for 2 years, SHU got bumped to 3rd behind the Devils & Nets.
Now you had to wait for both the NHL & NBA schedules to come out before you can work on your schedule.
Throw in how many teams in the old BE were in similar situations and the scheduling nightmare grows.

About the only good thing was that the Nets paid for the NBA-level upgrades to the locker rooms they left behind.

[Edrick]

The Rosemont Horizon is a dump by the airport, so a new home is desperately needed. If DePaul could ever get their stuff together Chicago would start to pay attention again. Until then going to DePaul game at the UC may be a lot like going to a Seton Hall game at the Prudential center. An empty NBA arena with crappy college basketball. Gotta put a good product on the floor to make the UC a good home. Same goes for SHU at the Rock.

Not sure how they will get taxpayer support for building in the Loop.

I used to go to Sting games there in the mid-80s and it was already a dump then LOL

[yorost]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ ... 8263.story

DePaul is now looking at a site very close to campus. I don't know a lot about it, but the location would be fantastic for DePaul so I hope they can go this route.