AAC Ranks 27th out of 30 NBA Arenas in "Fan Friendliness"

[madape]

This may be old news, but I don't know if this board ever had a discussion about how Cuban and Ussery have turned a brand new state of the art arena into one of the worst places in the league to watch a basketball game.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baske...as-cover_x.htm

VENUE RANKINGS
Rank, team

Rank, team Fan-friendly score (scale of 1 to 6, score of 6 being the best)
1. Denver 4.16
2T. Indiana 4.14
2T. Philadelphia 4.14
4. Phoenix 4.11
5. Detroit 4.05
6. New Orleans 3.98
7. Atlanta 3.9
8. Sacramento 3.79
9. Miami 3.77
10T. Cleveland 3.72
10T. Golden State 3.72
12. Houston 3.67
13T. Charlotte 3.65
13T. Seattle 3.65
15T. San Antonio 3.62
15T. Portland 3.62
17. L.A. Lakers 3.57
18. L.A. Clippers 3.54
19. Minnesota 3.51
20. Utah 3.46
21. Memphis 3.42
22. Chicago 3.37
23. Orlando 3.33
24T. Milwaukee 3.28
24T. New York 3.28
24T. Toronto 3.28
27. Dallas 3.24
28. Boston 3.11
29. Washington 2.94
30. New Jersey 2.82

[Thespiralgoeson]

What is this based on? How did they come to this conclusion?

[Evilmav2]

What criteria are the rankings based upon? The article explicitly lists them, as I quote here:

USA TODAY ranked each franchise in five categories, with 40% weight given to the seat and 15% each to parking, entertainment, fan involvement and concessions. Criteria in each category were rated on a scale of 6 to 1. The scale: 6 wow, 5 superior, 4 above average, 3 average, 2 below average, 1 inferior. The criteria, within each category:

Seat: Cost, location and value; comfort (legroom, cushions, cup holders).
Fan involvement: Basketball enthusiasm and IQ.
Entertainment: Originality and entertainment value of timeout skits, dance team, mascot, scoreboard.
Concessions: Concession stands' availability, service and TV screens; concourse atmosphere; hot dog and soda costs; restroom availability, cleanliness and wait time; program cost and information; cost of authentic NBA jersey and cap; ticket line and speed; demeanor of security personnel.
Parking: Cost, safety, time in and out, distance.

[Murphy3]

It's the worst that I've ever been to.

[dirk2003]

It's the best I've ever been to.

[HexNBA]

I certainly have no nba arenas to compare it to, but the two times (dont live in the area) I have been to the AAC have been great. friendly staff, short waits at concessions (even during a suns playoff game), and a great atmosphere. i dont care much for the "entertainment", the dancers are pretty hot though.

[Murphy3]

The food is overpriced. There aren't that many good seats. The in game presentation is absolutely horrible. Humble Billy Hayes sucks @ss.

[dude1394]

Well I went to the arean and heard kevin mccarthy. Now that was a suck job. Horrible, I thought he was an undertaker. Humble is okay in my book.

[FilthyFinMavs]

Damn we are down there with some of the worst franchises in the league.

[chumdawg]

Say what you want about the AAC, the fact remains that it has more restrooms per capita than any other arena in the league. That's a fact. You can look it up.

Proving--once again, I might add--that if you want to take a shit in the NBA, the AAC is the place to do it.

[FINtastic]

I think Chris Arnold knocked us down 5 places all by himself.

[4cwebb]

Originally posted by: FINtastic
I think Chris Arnold knocked us down 5 places all by himself.

Now that's comedy.

Otherwise, I'm confused by this ranking --- the Kings' are looking for a new arena because Arco is apparently terrible for the fans from a concession stands/concourses/restrooms point of view.

And, factoring in the fan base is pretty lame.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Chris Arnold and the guy who has to sing AC/DC everytime. My brother actually saw him at a bar and made fun of him. He was pissed. Classic.

[JLEEHASMUCHGAME]

Originally posted by: chumdawg
Say what you want about the AAC, the fact remains that it has more restrooms per capita than any other arena in the league. That's a fact. You can look it up.

Proving--once again, I might add--that if you want to take a shit in the NBA, the AAC is the place to do it.

I had to laugh at this one.

The best time I've ever had at an NBA game was at the old Reunion Arena. My first game ever. I got free tickets in the upperdeck to watch Finley's Mavs barely lose to Iverson's Sixers. But it's likely I enjoyed that game the most just cause it was my first time. The only other arenas I've been to were the Fleet Center -- I think it may have a new name out in Boston -- and the AAC. So I guess I don't have much experience in the "fan friendliest" of environments, but I can at least agree that the Celtics' homecourt is no better than the Mavs'.

[dude1394]

I think I've only been the staples center (but plan to check out a spurs game this year against mavs). Staples was a generic so what?? Did have a lot of hotties and starlets there however.

Oh yeah, and Dennis Rodman (he was worth the price of admission).