Wrigley Field to switch gears as NHL comes calling
Chicago appears to have inside edge on hosting the next outdoor game
May 30, 2008 04:30 AM
Kevin McGran
SPORTS REPORTER
The NHL has narrowed the field of potential venues for its next Winter Classic to two cities.
The two that could play host to the popular event are Chicago and Pittsburgh.
However, reports indicate the Blackhawks have the inside edge on hosting the Jan. 1, 2009, Winter Classic at storied Wrigley Field.
Chicago's bid is appealing because their large television market is in a northern, winter climate with a promising young team in a city that seems ready to embrace hockey again thanks to dynamic new ownership.
"We've put an official bid in with the NHL, and we're hopeful we'll get it," said Hawks spokesman Brandon Faber.
"We haven't heard anything from the NHL. We don't know when to expect an announcement, we're kind of at their mercy right now."
It's believed the Detroit Red Wings will be the other team.
The only other viable prospect is for a Pittsburgh-Philadelphia game at Happy Valley, home of Penn State University.
The NHL denies any decision has been made.
"Nothing is imminent," said NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly. "Nothing is even done."
Toronto is not in the running, and it's doubtful it will ever be considered despite its hockey-mad reputation.
"Rogers Centre doesn't work, BMO Field doesn't work," said Richard Peddie, president of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. "Until we get an outdoor NFL stadium, we're probably out of the running for this event."
BMO Field can't accommodate crowds any larger than can be seated in the Air Canada Centre, making the event less financially attractive, said Peddie.
And the logistics of opening a Rogers Centre roof covered in ice and snow pose huge problems.
"Think of it as a huge eavestrough filled with snow – you can't open it," said Peddie.
"We think the magic is you have to be outdoors."Teams have been vying to host the next Winter Classic given this past season's was such a huge success. More than 70,000 were in the stands on Jan. 1, 2008, to watch the Pens take on the Buffalo Sabres at a snowy Ralph Wilson Stadium.
The event drew the largest TV audience for an NHL game since Wayne Gretzky was still playing despite going up against U.S. college football bowl games.
Sports News
Wrigley Field to switch gears as NHL comes calling
Chicago appears to have inside edge on hosting the next outdoor game
May 30, 2008 04:30 AM
Kevin McGran
SPORTS REPORTER
The NHL has narrowed the field of potential venues for its next Winter Classic to two cities.
The two that could play host to the popular event are Chicago and Pittsburgh.
However, reports indicate the Blackhawks have the inside edge on hosting the Jan. 1, 2009, Winter Classic at storied Wrigley Field.
Chicago's bid is appealing because their large television market is in a northern, winter climate with a promising young team in a city that seems ready to embrace hockey again thanks to dynamic new ownership.
"We've put an official bid in with the NHL, and we're hopeful we'll get it," said Hawks spokesman Brandon Faber.
"We haven't heard anything from the NHL. We don't know when to expect an announcement, we're kind of at their mercy right now."
It's believed the Detroit Red Wings will be the other team.
The only other viable prospect is for a Pittsburgh-Philadelphia game at Happy Valley, home of Penn State University.
The NHL denies any decision has been made.
"Nothing is imminent," said NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly. "Nothing is even done."
Toronto is not in the running, and it's doubtful it will ever be considered despite its hockey-mad reputation.
"Rogers Centre doesn't work, BMO Field doesn't work," said Richard Peddie, president of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. "Until we get an outdoor NFL stadium, we're probably out of the running for this event."
BMO Field can't accommodate crowds any larger than can be seated in the Air Canada Centre, making the event less financially attractive, said Peddie.
And the logistics of opening a Rogers Centre roof covered in ice and snow pose huge problems.
"Think of it as a huge eavestrough filled with snow – you can't open it," said Peddie.
"We think the magic is you have to be outdoors."Teams have been vying to host the next Winter Classic given this past season's was such a huge success. More than 70,000 were in the stands on Jan. 1, 2008, to watch the Pens take on the Buffalo Sabres at a snowy Ralph Wilson Stadium.
The event drew the largest TV audience for an NHL game since Wayne Gretzky was still playing despite going up against U.S. college football bowl games.
