Reducing the arena's capacity to under 20,000 follows a recent league-wide trendGETTY IMAGES
The renovated Quicken Loans Arena will have about 1,000 "fewer seats" when it re-opens in the fall of '19, according to Kevin Kleps of CRAIN'S CLEVELAND BUSINESS. The Cavaliers have been "cautious about saying what the capacity would be" for the renovated venue. Cavaliers and Quicken Loans Arena CEO Len Komoroski said that the arena's capacity would be reduced "to the mid-19,000 range." Reducing the capacity under 20,000 "follows a leaguewide trend." Five NBA arenas "currently have a capacity above 20,000." Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have "committed an additional" $45M to the renovation of the arena, which will now cost $185M in total -- $115M of which will be "covered by the team." Komoroski said that the renovations also will add a "Saucy Brew Works pub in the south end of the arena," and a "Wine & Gold United Club will be located in the northwest corner of The Q." That area will also be "home to the 43,530-square-foot atrium," which will be "enclosed by the glass facade." Komoroski said that area should be "pretty much done" by the end of the '18-19 season (CRAINSCLEVELAND.com, 9/18).
STILL ON BUDGET: In Cleveland, Courtney Astolfi notes included in the extra $45M is a "total overhaul" of the Cavs locker room. Officials said that it will be "ready before the start" of this NBA season. Komoroski said that other improvements are "related to extra upgrades for the audio/visual equipment, LED lighting, and multi-media improvements." Cavs Exec VP/Communications Tad Carper said that the project "did not generate" $45M in cost overruns, but rather that the team "opted to invest the extra money to improve upon the already-planned upgrades" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 9/19).
