If you didn’t know, proposals are afoot got a new, International Manchester Arena. The arena will be in Eastlands, near the Etihad (Manchester City’s home ground). As a result, the current Manchester Arena has put forward significant redevelop plans and (as you can probably imagine opposes the proposals for the new arena).
The Eastlands arena’s proposals say that given the fact that the current arena has been booked solidly for years now with international acts, Manchester has enough interest amongst international music acts, sporting events and conferences that it can operate two arenas.
Manchester Storm and the arena
For those that don’t know, the Manchester Storm used to play in the Manchester Arena. The teams was even partially owned by the arena’s owners). Most say that these were the Storm’s best days in the league. Attendance was highest, the team had its best results and interest was at an all time high.
Sadly though, as Manchester took off in the mid-to late 90s, everyone wanted to play the Manchester arena. This meant that the arena began to lose money because it was obliged to play hockey matches instead of infinitely more profitable music acts! The team was effectively shut down as a result and plunged the team into a dark period.
Could the Storm be moving (back)?
Now, think of this. The Eastlands arena gets built. Most of the biggest international events now get caught by the new arena and play there. The current Manchester arena keeps the majority of its acts and events but sees a small downturn in the number of acts etc coming play there. The current arena needs a reliable act, that plays frequently across the year and particularly keeps income coming in during the week when events are hardest to book.
Enter the Storm.
A match made in heaven? The Manchester Storm would benefit in the same way it used to. Much larger capacity, meaning higher ticket sales and much higher income. Infinitely better transport links to the arena mean a wider ‘net’ for potential fans to attend games (home and away fans). More prestige for the club (linked with a more substantial venue). More chance of hosting big league events, such as the playoffs and European Champions Hockey League (CHL) matches.
The downside
Well, so why wouldn’t this happen you ask?
There are two potential barriers.
Firstly, what will the arena want from the Storm for this to happen? They know the move will benefit the Storm and might put their asking price too high (massive percentage of the ticket sales profit for example or too high a game day cost, meaning that the Storm would have to sell out every match to make a profit).
Secondly, the way the Storm were dumped by the arena previously will mean a lingering bad taste will still hand around the Storm and doing business with the arena. A deal would need to include some guarantee for the Storm that they are not going to get thrown out again, in a similar way to last time. Would the arena be prepared to go far enough to make this happen?
Only time will tell.
Let us know what you think in the comments section below. Should the Storm move back to the arena given the choice?
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