joejhawk

So they should have money available to buy the naming rights!

What happened to Ginn? There was an old discussion that they were considering naming rights for the new arena last year. Of course it could not be the "Ginn Arena" it would have to be "Ginn Center" or something. With their huge resorts, NASCAR team etc they would be a prime candidate with local ties and would benefit from the exposure.

Dolphin Stadium is going through a significant upgrade right now so I am assuming that it will classify as modern when they are finished.

My system won't allow it either but you can follow the blog here: http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_local_namesblog/. This is probably more entertaining anyway.

That's great news that we can use fat people to provide fuel. Wait...that would be ethanol from celluLITE. Never mind.

Personally as a Magic fan I would like to see them stay in Orlando which they will only do if they get a new arena. The team is in great shape for a championship run with a VERY marketable star in Dwight Howard who is just beginning to shine in the national spotlight. When he appears on the cover of ESPN the Magazine or Sports Illustrated in front of the fountain at Lake Eola and his jersey says "Orlando", I believe that is more effective advertising than an obscure ad in "AARP Today". A good sports team brings unity to a city which is something sorely missing in Orlando since so many people are from somewhere else. It also gives great publicity around the country and world, especially when someone in Buffalo can't see out their window due to the 15' of snow and they see people walking into the arena in shorts while watching a Magic game on ESPN. How much is that worth in advertising dollars? They may not come down to see the Magic, but that keeps Orlando in the spotlight. Not to mention the charities and other causes that the Magic poor millions of dollars into in the community. These are my thoughts on why it's important just in keeping the Magic in town. Of course you have the other activities at the arena that would be enhanced plus a better venue for the "artsy" stuff which I don't take advantage of very often, but I would like to have the option. If done correctly the Citrus Bowl could even be viable. What's to keep us from hosting the Super Bowl? If we ever got lucky enough for that, that event alone would pay for the renovations/rebuilding.

A great crossover dribble is my muse.

Maybe I have missed it, but I have not seen what the current venues are costing the city now. I am assuming that none of the venues are making the city any money but have not seen the numbers. Of the 3 new facilities, which one is most viable as far as actually being self-sustaining and less of a burden on the city/county?

GO BUCS! (I thought I would add a little humor!)

Yes, I think that would be best.

Along the lines of the O-rena, is there any chance it would become known as the A-Ginn?

I am confused, who is actually building these projects? I assume that they will all be owned by the city, but what is the role of OPAC? Are they just organizing and planning or will they have some sort of ownership? Of course it sounds like the arena will be built and they keys handed to Rich DeVos but I'm pretty sure that's not the case. But the Magic did submit their plans for the arena so are they overseeing the construction? I guess my question is what is the city's/county's role in these projects? Are they just handing the money over to the groups who will be using them to construct what they want or is the city/county actually going to be in charge of the construction. And who will actually own the finished projects? OPAC? Magic? I guess what is confusing me is the recurring phrase "building the arena for a billionaire." If the Magic are tenant and don't have an ownership interest in the building how is this different from any other building with a major tenant? Does the owner typically have the major tenant pay for the construction? Maybe I'm just naive or maybe I'm just a Magic fan who thinks that without a new arena the Magic will be outa here.