Facility Notes

In Dallas, David Hinojosa reports only 12,500 of the 21,000 seats at Pizza Hut Park will be on sale for the stadium-opening MLS Metrostars-FC Dallas game on August 6, because of “limited on-site parking.” Although the stadium is “nearly ready for use, not all of the parking lots will be completed in time for the opener.” Less than 1,000 tickets remain for the game (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 7/12).

SMALLER IS BETTER: A’s investor Keith Wolff said that the team is considering a new ballpark “that would contain fewer than 35,000 seats” and would include “suites that accommodate four to six people.” SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL’s Don Muret notes that would be the smallest ballpark in MLB. The A’s want “to feature loge boxes and terrace tables in their stadium, the club-seat/suite hybrid priced affordably for small businesses at NBA arenas.” Wolff: “We’re thinking of having 40 traditional suites and 40 minisuites” (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 7/11 issue).

SAVE A BUCK: In Milwaukee, Mark Kass reports Bradley Center officials “are close to an agreement with the Bucks on a five- to eight-year lease that would include additional revenue from events” at the arena. The agreement would include “developing more revenue generators in the building, such as a permanent retail store.” The Bucks currently do not pay rent and receive 27.5% of total gross receipts from concessions other than programs and merchandise. The Bucks also get 13.75% of gross revenue from luxury suite food and beverage sales (MILWAUKEE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 7/11 issue).