Fans Fight Crowds At First Colts Game At Lucas Oil Stadium
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Lucas Oil Stadium Opens To Mixed Reviews As
Crowds Mar Festival-Like Atmosphere |
Lucas Oil Stadium yesterday played host to its first NFL game, and though "some people said they were frustrated by long escalator waits in the massive facility, many said the building, with its roof open, multiple food and entertainment venues and pre-game concert, created a festival-like atmosphere like none they'd experienced in the RCA Dome," according to Francesca Jarosz of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. Before yesterday's Bills-Colts preseason game, "hundreds of fans flowed through the building more than an hour before the game's 8 p.m. kickoff to take pictures in the venue, eat and check out entertainment such as a virtual field-goal kicking game and pro shop." Also, many fans said that "parking and concessions lines ran smoothly during the game, but there were some glitches with traffic flow as people tried to make their way around the new stadium." At times, "certain corridors became so crowded that people were at a standstill," and patrons "complained about navigating the four ground-floor escalators, which had lines that kept some fans waiting as long as 20 minutes to get upstairs and find their seats." However, Jarosz notes "for many people, ... the frustrations were overcome by the stadium's ambiance" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 8/25).
SWEETHEART DEAL: In Indianapolis, Ted Evanoff reported the Colts "could pocket at least $41[M] in new annual revenue above and beyond the $150[M] or more a year the club has made in recent years at the RCA Dome." As a result, the Colts "could reap $1.4[B] over the next three decades in one of the sweeter stadium deals" in the NFL. The Colts will keep all stadium revenue on game days, and the team will not have to pay rent or "employ ticket takers, ushers, security guards or janitors." Those "chores and their expenses will be left to the city taxpayer-supported Capital Improvement Board," which is responsible for "fixing and keeping the stadium in good condition." The Colts also will receive half the ticket and concession revenue -- up to $3.5M a year -- from non-NFL events. City negotiators had agreed that taxpayers would cover 87% of the cost of the stadium, "to make sure the team stayed put," and Evanoff noted smaller cities like Indianapolis "tend to shell out more for new stadiums because they fear the team will move away." Naming rights, sponsorships and club seating, which fall "outside the typical fan's pocketbook," offer the Colts "real entree to the NFL big leagues" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 8/24).
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