azdad1978
Championship!!!!
Paola Boivin
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 1, 2005 12:00 AM
I'm standing inside the Cardinals' new stadium, impressed beyond words, and then Michael Bidwill goes and ruins my optimism with a completely innocent statement.
"We wanted to give you a chance to see what our fans will see next season," he said.
What, I think privately, emptiness?
Bad me. The new facility, which opens in nine months, is jaw dropping. It's fan friendly and state of the art in a have-to-see-it way. That this tour comes on the heels of a dismal 34-13 loss Sunday to Dallas spins a story that could be about this stadium's brilliance into one that wonders whether this stadium's brilliance is enough to overcome the team's on-the-field futility.
"No one wants us to win more than me," Bidwill said quietly.
I believe him. Bidwill's hard-nosed business ways are well chronicled. Less known is that he is consumed by a desire to enhance his father's legacy. This stadium is a step in the right direction.
Its contemporary design by New York's Peter Eisenman is a welcome architectural departure from the retro trend that delivered marvels such as Baltimore's new Camden Yards but grew stale at Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park. The Cardinals' facility may not have the attention of sports fans yet, but discussion of its uniqueness is raging in architectural circles.
Its interior offers wide concourses and great sight lines. Fans who take advantage of concessions will still be able see and hear action on the field because of open backdrops. The stadium lofts - the term "suites" is so passé - will offer multiple flat-screen TVs, swivel seats and great views.
Is it enough? Does anyone go to the theater to see a bad movie just because the seats are comfortable?
It's difficult to gauge the potential of a stadium's pull because of the lack of precedent. This kind of futility, followed by this kind of construction, is unparalleled.
Bidwill spoke many times Monday about the Cardinals' "DNA." The team's colors can be found throughout the stadium, but it's more than that. It's about a brand. It's about a team's identity. The Cardinals hope the facility not only lures fans but also gives the organization a new vibe, like putting on a suit and feeling better about one's self.
These are our locker rooms.
This is our field.
This is our stadium.
A stadium in climate-controlled environment, by the way. That will help. I've sat through a sub-zero game at the old Lambeau Field in Green Bay and a 100-plus-degree game at Sun Devil Stadium.
Not even close. I'd take sub-zero any day.
With the right clothing, anyone can protect himself from cold temperatures. Cooling fans, water and cotton shirts will offer limited relief under a 2 p.m. sun.
"It became challenging," Bidwill said. "At the same time our product on the field wasn't good, new facilities were opening around the Valley that were truly first class. America West Arena. Bank One Ballpark (now Chase Field). The new hockey arena in Glendale. I think that's what people became used to. That's why this became important.
"Does that mean we're not equally committed to improving the product on the field? No, we're equally committed to that, focused on that. Obviously, we are disappointed at how things have started out this season."
Two wins and five losses is a crummy way to start a season that was supposed to inspire ticket sales for next year. The Cardinals will need to use the stadium as a selling point, because Dennis Green and Co. have done nothing to suggest this team is any different from the "same old Cardinals."
It's hard to imagine that will be enough.
Reach Boivin at paola.boivin@arizona- republic.com or (602) 444-8956.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/columns/articles/1101boivin1101.html
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 1, 2005 12:00 AM
I'm standing inside the Cardinals' new stadium, impressed beyond words, and then Michael Bidwill goes and ruins my optimism with a completely innocent statement.
"We wanted to give you a chance to see what our fans will see next season," he said.
What, I think privately, emptiness?
Bad me. The new facility, which opens in nine months, is jaw dropping. It's fan friendly and state of the art in a have-to-see-it way. That this tour comes on the heels of a dismal 34-13 loss Sunday to Dallas spins a story that could be about this stadium's brilliance into one that wonders whether this stadium's brilliance is enough to overcome the team's on-the-field futility.
"No one wants us to win more than me," Bidwill said quietly.
I believe him. Bidwill's hard-nosed business ways are well chronicled. Less known is that he is consumed by a desire to enhance his father's legacy. This stadium is a step in the right direction.
Its contemporary design by New York's Peter Eisenman is a welcome architectural departure from the retro trend that delivered marvels such as Baltimore's new Camden Yards but grew stale at Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park. The Cardinals' facility may not have the attention of sports fans yet, but discussion of its uniqueness is raging in architectural circles.
Its interior offers wide concourses and great sight lines. Fans who take advantage of concessions will still be able see and hear action on the field because of open backdrops. The stadium lofts - the term "suites" is so passé - will offer multiple flat-screen TVs, swivel seats and great views.
Is it enough? Does anyone go to the theater to see a bad movie just because the seats are comfortable?
It's difficult to gauge the potential of a stadium's pull because of the lack of precedent. This kind of futility, followed by this kind of construction, is unparalleled.
Bidwill spoke many times Monday about the Cardinals' "DNA." The team's colors can be found throughout the stadium, but it's more than that. It's about a brand. It's about a team's identity. The Cardinals hope the facility not only lures fans but also gives the organization a new vibe, like putting on a suit and feeling better about one's self.
These are our locker rooms.
This is our field.
This is our stadium.
A stadium in climate-controlled environment, by the way. That will help. I've sat through a sub-zero game at the old Lambeau Field in Green Bay and a 100-plus-degree game at Sun Devil Stadium.
Not even close. I'd take sub-zero any day.
With the right clothing, anyone can protect himself from cold temperatures. Cooling fans, water and cotton shirts will offer limited relief under a 2 p.m. sun.
"It became challenging," Bidwill said. "At the same time our product on the field wasn't good, new facilities were opening around the Valley that were truly first class. America West Arena. Bank One Ballpark (now Chase Field). The new hockey arena in Glendale. I think that's what people became used to. That's why this became important.
"Does that mean we're not equally committed to improving the product on the field? No, we're equally committed to that, focused on that. Obviously, we are disappointed at how things have started out this season."
Two wins and five losses is a crummy way to start a season that was supposed to inspire ticket sales for next year. The Cardinals will need to use the stadium as a selling point, because Dennis Green and Co. have done nothing to suggest this team is any different from the "same old Cardinals."
It's hard to imagine that will be enough.
Reach Boivin at paola.boivin@arizona- republic.com or (602) 444-8956.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/columns/articles/1101boivin1101.html
