http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/
Friday, October 8, 2010
PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 07: The Pittsburgh Penguins opened their new building against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Consol Energy Center on October 7, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
There is nothing quite like the grand opening of a stadium to generate excitement in a city with a self-image so closely tied to the success of its teams — and we have enjoyed our share since 2001.
The debut of Consol Energy Center on Thursday night for the Penguins' first regular-season game completes this Pittsburgh sports renaissance, one that witnessed the Pirates move into PNC Park, the Steelers and Pitt football into Heinz Field and Pitt basketball into Petersen Events Center.
All four are among the best buildings in their sport, and it doesn't hurt that the three pro sports venues are within walking distance of Downtown. Not only have the new arenas changed the city's infrastructure, they also should put to rest the perception of Pittsburgh as a small-market sports town.
"They've certainly gotten an impressive amount of stadiums done in the last decade," CNBC sports business reporter Darren Rovell said. "Stadiums play in this economy less of a role than they used to. Wins is the most important thing — and it's more important than the building. People will come once to see the building, but if they don't enjoy the experience, they won't come again. It's good for the reputation of Pittsburgh and gives its teams a chance to do better financially, but you've got to win.
"The revenue thing is less bankable than before. It's not, if you build it, they will come; it's, if you win it, they will come. Luckily, the Penguins have won the Stanley Cup and done so well (that) they've given themselves the best chance. This is the perfect time to have a new arena and capitalize on it."
PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 07: Referee Stephen Walkom #24 drops the puck between Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Mike Richards #18 of the Philadelphia Flyers for the first faceoff at the Consol Energy Center on October 7, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Penguins CEO David Morehouse said the promise of revenue at Consol Energy Center allowed the Penguins to spend to the salary-cap ceiling two years early, sparking successive runs to the Stanley Cup Final. He found that Pittsburgh's passion per capita is unparalleled.
"It's a major league sports town, definitely," said Morehouse, a Beechview native. "It's much bigger than its demographics would have you believe. We can compete with any sports town in the country and in the world, from the depth with which our fans support our teams and also the performance of our teams.
"It's rare for Pittsburgh to be able to say that about anything. We know here in Pittsburgh that we're a well-kept secret and that we have a lot of positive attributes. But I think people are recognizing outside of Pittsburgh a lot of different things about the region, one of which is that we definitely have, collectively, the four best sports venues that I've seen."
Coincidentally, yesterday's celebration came a year and a day after Sporting News named Pittsburgh the nation's best sports town. That honor was bestowed largely because the Steelers won Super Bowl XLIII and the Penguins the Stanley Cup in the same year. We can argue that it's deserved, whether or not we can claim the City of Champions title.
"It's fitting that Pittsburgh has the best sports facilities, because it's one of the best sports towns, if not the best sports town," Morehouse said. "It's in our marketing research: Pittsburgh performs better than its market size when it comes to sports because Pittsburghers have a great affinity for their sports teams than other regions and other cities."
PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 07: Sergei Bobrovsky #35 of the Philadelphia Flyers makes the save against Mike Comrie #19 of the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Consol Energy Center on October 7, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The new facilities add to Pittsburgh's presence but also can add to the number of championships. With one glaring exception — the Pirates, who are hampered by owner "Bottom Line" Bob Nutting and an uneven playing field in Major League Baseball — new stadiums have led to winning.
The new arena will add to the city's allure for major sporting events. The All-Star Game visited PNC Park in 2006. Petersen Events Center twice hosted the NCAA women's basketball tournament. The Winter Classic will be New Year's Day at Heinz Field. Consol Energy Center will be a first- and second-round site for the NCAA men's tournament in 2012 and the NCAA Frozen Four the following year.
So, there's some truth that if you build it, they will come.
Pittsburgh's sports fans are the winners.
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