re: what is the status of the D league team?

quote:

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WTF is wrong with the bay center?
doesnt the hockey team already play there?

a new arena for a minor league basketball team is insanity. they are not gonna draw more than 5K or so anyway

is it the pels/NBA pushing for this?

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Developers in Pensacola have been pushing for the new arena to house the hockey team, attract G-league, and boost conventions. They apparently have been losing a lot of convention business for years because of the outdated Bay Center which has issues with plumbing and HVAC in addition to no amenities (no video board, poor concessions...etc.). The cost of upkeep of the Bay Center is increasing as the revenue generated keeps decreasing. The new arena would theoretically increase revenue from the hocket team, add a basketball team, and attract more conventions, concerts, trade shows, poltiical rallies...etc. while also adding a youth sports component to attract youth sports tournaments.

They have $20-$25M in funding available from BP funds that will be directed elsewhere (not Pensacola) if not used. On top of that some proposals would also be eligble for $20M in market tax credits.