In San Jose, Anthony Slater notes there is a "growing expectation" that the construction of the Warriors' Chase Center in S.F. "will begin early next year." Warriors co-Owner Joe Lacob said construction hopefully will begin in "January." Speaking at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon in S.F. yesterday, Lacob "proclaimed that the Chase Center would be 'the greatest arena you've ever seen." The construction time frame has "been estimated around 26-28 months," and if it "begins when expected, it should open" for the '19 season. Lacob: "Our new sales center is opening up very soon, and when you see the model there, it will blow your mind. It's so good" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 10/11).
LOCAL FLAVOR: The Kings last night played their first game at Golden 1 Center with a preseason matchup against Israeli club Maccabi Haifa, and ESPN.com's Arash Markazi writes there is a "distinct Sacramento feel" to the arena, with "old neon signs from historic Sacramento businesses -- such as Tower Records, Shakey’s Pizza and Franke’s Pharmacy -- featured in its corridors." There is a "hangar door above the arena's main entrance that can open," allowing a "breeze for fans walking the concourses" (ESPN.com, 10/11). In Sacramento, Blair Robertson wrote under the header, "Plenty Of Local Beer At New Arena, But Also Glaring Omissions" (SACBEE.com, 10/7).
HOUSE WARMING: In Chicago, Eric Peterson notes the NBA D-League Windy City Bulls yesterday "held an open house" at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill., to "show fans the stadium's new court and state-of-the-art scoreboard system." The facility upgrades cost nearly $1M. Upgrades include a "main digital scoreboard approximately 24 by 43 feet, two digital ribbon boards of 2 by 183 feet each, and an advertising board of 13.5 by 7.5 feet" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 10/11).
