Dan Friedkin the man behind NHL to Houston

[StreetHawk]

Building outside of Harris County seems really risky. Unless there's a massive cluster of hockey fans outside of the county, I dont see that being the smart move. You'd be putting an arena away from the majority of the population and depending on the area, far from any public transit hubs.

Going outside of Harris county does seem like a Glendale type scenario for the Coyotes. Yes, you get gov help, but in he end, it's all about location for the fans. You are asking them to attend like 20 home games between Mon-Thur during the season. So, they need to be able to get there and home within a reasonable time.

Figure, they would build up the surrounding area as well, but that also needs to consider location.

 

[LT]

Building outside of Harris County seems really risky. Unless there's a massive cluster of hockey fans outside of the county, I dont see that being the smart move. You'd be putting an arena away from the majority of the population and depending on the area, far from any public transit hubs.

There isn't really any cluster of hockey fans in Houston. There also isn't much public transit.

Downtown is the best option. Anywhere else has obvious major issues.

 

[dj4aces]

There isn't really any cluster of hockey fans in Houston. There also isn't much public transit.

Downtown is the best option. Anywhere else has obvious major issues.

I think the best way to determine where prospective fans would be then is a little market research. The easy solution is a downtown building, absolutely, but if a little research reveals that most of the folks who would buy season tickets live in The Woodlands -- just as an example -- then considering a location in an area of town that would favor those residents would be better.

It doesn't necessarily have to be outside Harris County, but it's still something to consider, and something Friedkin would need to conduct some market research to find out for sure.

 

[ViD]

If it’s outside the downtown, it’s gotta be the Woodlands. They already have a venue that hosts A list performers, for example the Offspring will play there this summer

 

[LT]

If it’s outside the downtown, it’s gotta be the Woodlands. They already have a venue that hosts A list performers, for example the Offspring will play there this summer

Honestly I think that's part of what would help rule out the Woodlands

West Houston is where the money is, particularly south of I-10. But Harris County spreads quite far out into that direction.

I ultimately think a deal with Toyota Center will eventually be the solution. Most of this is all speculation, I've only seen one decent source mention a new arena. I'm sure it's an option that was discussed internally, but who knows what Fertitta's group is thinking. I am quite certain they will absolutely want to avoid a new arena somewhere else, though.

 

[Voight]

Honestly I think that's part of what would help rule out the Woodlands

West Houston is where the money is, particularly south of I-10. But Harris County spreads quite far out into that direction.

I ultimately think a deal with Toyota Center will eventually be the solution. Most of this is all speculation, I've only seen one decent source mention a new arena. I'm sure it's an option that was discussed internally, but who knows what Fertitta's group is thinking. I am quite certain they will absolutely want to avoid a new arena somewhere else, though.

This is why I think Fertitta will be open to sharing the arena; if they offer him a piece of the team it'll be a good incentive to work together.

 

[aqib]

This is why I think Fertitta will be open to sharing the arena; if they offer him a piece of the team it'll be a good incentive to work together.

He could have had the whole team on multiple occasions. He is stuck on valuations.

Another question for people who are local. Just from looking at Google Maps there seems to be a lot of surface lots around the arena. So I'll kick this back to the locals, why hasn't there been more development there and are there other parts of Houston that would be prime for someone to scoop up and do the mixed use?

 

[Voight]

He could have had the whole team on multiple occasions. He is stuck on valuations.

Another question for people who are local. Just from looking at Google Maps there seems to be a lot of surface lots around the arena. So I'll kick this back to the locals, why hasn't there been more development there and are there other parts of Houston that would be prime for someone to scoop up and do the mixed use?

Sure but he likely does not want to spend 1-1.5bn on a team. Hence why he might be OK with spending a tenth or quarter of that. I think he has an issue with paying the whole price but would be more open to a smaller piece.

 

[aqib]

Sure but he likely does not want to spend 1-1.5bn on a team. Hence why he might be OK with spending a tenth or quarter of that. I think he has an issue with paying the whole price but would be more open to a smaller piece.

He balked at $500M for an entire team, that seems like a bargain compared to $150 million for 10%.

 

[dj4aces]

He balked at $500M for an entire team, that seems like a bargain compared to $150 million for 10%.

That's exactly where I stand with this too. Plus, what does Friedkin stand to gain by practically giving Fertitta (in this example) 10% of the team to play in the Toyota Center? What if Friedkin decides he wants his own building, assuming he hasn't already made that decision?

The love-in with Fertitta just feels really weird. If anyone can prove they can get things done in the Houston sports world *without* Fertitta and taxpayer assistance, it's Friedkin.

 

[Voight]

That's exactly where I stand with this too. Plus, what does Friedkin stand to gain by practically giving Fertitta (in this example) 10% of the team to play in the Toyota Center? What if Friedkin decides he wants his own building, assuming he hasn't already made that decision?

The love-in with Fertitta just feels really weird. If anyone can prove they can get things done in the Houston sports world *without* Fertitta and taxpayer assistance, it's Friedkin.

It all depends if hes willing to sink almost half of his net worth into his thing. A new arena plus expansion fee its going to run him 2.5-3bn, assuming he builds within Harris County (which seems to be the most likely scenario).