ATM9000 said:

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Mega Lops said:

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Cibalo said:

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With the rink at Memorial City Mall set to close this summer there is a huge demand for ice rinks in Houston.

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LOL no there isn't

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Hahaha I did laugh when I read Memorial City ice rink shutting down followed by HUGE demand for ice rinks!

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There was a lot of uproar about that when it was announced, but it died off pretty quickly. Demo on that section of the mall will be starting by September.

jakelew04 said:

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Didn't the Aeros play at Toyota center for like 10 years?

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Yes but IIRC the ice-making capabilities at TC were removed at some point. And then re-installed, or are being re-installed, in this recent renovation.

Someone posted yesterday on X that Fertitta had said he was fine with the NHL playing there, but that would clearly be temporary. You simply can't make the necessary revenue as a tenant.

P.H. Dexippus said:

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I have an idea of the recently demoed Northwest Mall.

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Would be sick NGL

Someone go "Key Arena" the Dome.

Up in Seattle, they actually put jacks to keep the roof up while they demo'd the arena and rebuilt the lower levels, including digging it out for additional seating and the ice works.

https://www.geekwire.com/2020/inside-another-big-dig-seattle-saving-roof-key-arena-44-million-pound-remodel-marvel/

Why didn't Tillman get the rights? Made the most sense. He has the money, venue etc.

Gonna end up in Austin as there is no economic reason for another arena in Houston.

Because the NHL is asking $3.5 Billion for an expansion team. Only 3 or 4 NHL teams are currently valued at that number or higher. Fertitta would like a team but he's not going to overpay for one. Considering he just bought Caesars Entertainment, he might be a bit low on things to leverage for cash at the moment.

redag06 said:

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cajunaggie08 said:

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Because the NHL is asking $3.5 Billion for an expansion team. Only 3 or 4 NHL teams are currently valued at that number or higher. Fertitta would like a team but he's not going to overpay for one. Considering he just bought Caesars Entertainment, he might be a bit low on things to leverage for cash at the moment.

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He won't overpay for a team, but he expects everyone to overpay for the food he serves.

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And judging by the number of times I've seen sales guys at work argue on who gets to use their landrys card to pay the bill, it seems he's doing just fine with that expectation.

HarveyUpdyke_Ag said:

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Tilliman is supposed to be smart right? He brought back a WNBA team lol

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There's no way a WNBA team is profitable on its own. I have to believe the NBA is sending him (and all WNBA owners) heavy subsidy payments.

NoahAg said:

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HarveyUpdyke_Ag said:

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Tilliman is supposed to be smart right? He brought back a WNBA team lol

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There's no way a WNBA team is profitable on its own. I have to believe the NBA is sending him (and all WNBA owners) heavy subsidy payments.

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WNBA is probably subsidized by things like franchises not being intrinsically sustainable on their own without an NBA team there to anchor a place for the WNBA to play.

But man… the WNBA is also like 30 years old now. No business lasts 30 years on cash subsidies. Clearly the WNBA has some intrinsic value to it.

NoahAg said:

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HarveyUpdyke_Ag said:

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Tilliman is supposed to be smart right? He brought back a WNBA team lol

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There's no way a WNBA team is profitable on its own. I have to believe the NBA is sending him (and all WNBA owners) heavy subsidy payments.

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Its no secret. The NBA has been covering the WNBA's losses for almost all of its history. I'm not sure if they had to this past season with it being the first of a new larger media deal. However, you could argue the NBA may have forced ESPN's hand to offer that larger media deal in order to keep the NBA media right deal they got this time.

kubiak03 said:

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Why didn't Tillman get the rights? Made the most sense. He has the money, venue etc.

Gonna end up in Austin as there is no economic reason for another arena in Houston.

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I don't think he was ever serious about the NHL. He had the inside track for a decade.

Could have had the Coyotes. Could have been involved in expansion in 2021. Passed every time.

Where are all the _______ on Ice shows held (Disney, Muppets, etc.)? Are they at TC or NRG Arena?

YellAg2004 said:

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Where are all the _______ on Ice shows held (Disney, Muppets, etc.)? Are they at TC or NRG Arena?

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NRG Stadium. Take like half the area. At least that's how Disney on ice was that we went to earlier this year.

We're apparently getting an ECHL team with its own arena.

https://www.chron.com/news/article/nhl-expansion-houston-news-22317861.php

Quote:

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Petit said his group is set to buy land north of I-45 and just south of The Woodlands, with a purchase agreement expected by the end of 2026. An 8,000-seat arena with club suites will then be constructed, with an ECHL club set to arrive as early as 2028-29. The final price tag on the new arena will likely settle around $200 million, per Petit.

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Although I don't know where "north of I-45" would be since it runs north-south….

If it were me, since Reliant is going to be extensively remodeled for the Texans, I would renovate the Astrodome into an entertainment and arena complex. It could be sold as 1 bond package and its also not a new building. The Astrodome will be a renovated building, which might sidestep the Fertitta approval problem. As long as the main structure is sound, the Astrodome could be reconfigured any number of ways. You could literally put a Moody Gardens type of place with trees, plants, water features, restaurants, office space, retail space, and also a 20,000 seat arena under a re-roofed facility with clear glass. $1.0B can buy a lot of construction and the transportation infrastructure is already present with parking, freeways, the toy train, Hobby Airport nearby, etc.... Re-name the 8th Wonder of the World the "Aerodome."

Marauder Blue 6 said:

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Sgt. Schultz said:

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If it were me, since Reliant is going to be extensively remodeled for the Texans, I would renovate the Astrodome into an entertainment and arena complex. It could be sold as 1 bond package and its also not a new building. The Astrodome will be a renovated building, which might sidestep the Fertitta approval problem. As long as the main structure is sound, the Astrodome could be reconfigured any number of ways. You could literally put a Moody Gardens type of place with trees, plants, water features, restaurants, office space, retail space, and also a 20,000 seat arena under a re-roofed facility with clear glass. $1.0B can buy a lot of construction and the transportation infrastructure is already present with parking, freeways, the toy train, Hobby Airport nearby, etc.... Re-name the 8th Wonder of the World the "Aerodome."

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Or they could tear the whole thing down, fill the hole, and start fresh and let someone other than taxpayers pay for it.

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Thats fine as I think taxpayers get fleeced on this things. The average life of new stadiums is proving to be 25-30 years, and you just have to look up north in Arlington or the Texans consideration of a potential move to Bridgeland area in Cypress for proof.

I was thinking about the Fertitta problem with regard to approving a new arena. Renovating a huge shell of an existing building, reskinning and doing whatever may be more sound from an "approval" standpoint. If you tear it down, it will be a new building in which Fertitta may have veto power over. He can't do squat, IMO, to prevent the renovation of an existing sports arena facility

Chronicle reporter says that Friedkin has bought land "northwest of Houston" to build an NHL arena.

https://sportstalk790.iheart.com/content/2026-06-24-nhl-to-houston-michael-shapiro-spills-fresh-expansion-details/

EclipseAg said:

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Chronicle reporter says that Friedkin has bought land "northwest of Houston" to build an NHL arena.

https://sportstalk790.iheart.com/content/2026-06-24-nhl-to-houston-michael-shapiro-spills-fresh-expansion-details/

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That's a pretty good interview. Not a lot of new info but the Chron guy clearly recognizes that this decision hinges on the ability to create an arena complex that will deliver revenues.

EclipseAg said:

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Chronicle reporter says that Friedkin has bought land "northwest of Houston" to build an NHL arena.

https://sportstalk790.iheart.com/content/2026-06-24-nhl-to-houston-michael-shapiro-spills-fresh-expansion-details/

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In case anyone needs a timestamp, it's 2:20.

jakelew04 said:

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Didn't the Aeros play at Toyota center for like 10 years?

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You're right i stand corrected. I thought they played exclusively at the Aerodome in Spring and left around the time Toyota center was built.
When I moved here they were gone and everyone thst talked about the Aeros made it sound like they left 10 years before they actuall did.

TXAG 05 said:

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ATM9000 said:

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Mega Lops said:

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Cibalo said:

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With the rink at Memorial City Mall set to close this summer there is a huge demand for ice rinks in Houston.

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LOL no there isn't

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Hahaha I did laugh when I read Memorial City ice rink shutting down followed by HUGE demand for ice rinks!

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There was a lot of uproar about that when it was announced, but it died off pretty quickly. Demo on that section of the mall will be starting by September.

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There is still uproar but it has turned into action instead of just noise. From what I heard they have made things difficult for MetroNational. Especially since they learned MetroNational was in discussions with the city on a public-private agreement to help fund their redevelopment.

There are also 4 separate groups in various stages of building ice rinks in Houston. There is one in the Humble area that will be a 2 sheet facility. The demand is there in Houston.

They razed the mall in Baytown. Would be a great spot for ice hockey. The Baytown Pipefitters. Book it. Sponsored by Ojos Locos and Chachos.

kubiak03 said:

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Why didn't Tillman get the rights? Made the most sense. He has the money, venue etc.

Gonna end up in Austin as there is no economic reason for another arena in Houston.

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Uhhh same problem in Austin. They have moody. They have smaller venues.