Posted by Harlin S. Neal Anyway, since your visits to Chicago, there has been some news about one of our esteemed (or not so esteemed) venues here. But first, let me make some recommendations to you. The next time you visit this area, check out the Allstate Arena. It's about a mile north of O'Hare International Airport, and was formerly known as the Rosemont Horizon. Allstate, based in north-suburban Northbrook, Illinois, paid the people in Rosemont, IL, the home of the arena, over $20 million for the naming rights to the place. That money was put towards renovating the arena, which has been up since 1980. The concourses are a little wider than they used to be, as well as brighter. The 2-level seating bowl has padded blue seats instead of the plastic red, yellow, brown, and orange seats it used to have. Also, there is an 8 sided video wall hanging from the center of the arena as well as dot-matrix scoreboards above the second level on the north and south sides. This arena is home to the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League, the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League, and the DePaul University Blue Demons mens basketball team. This arena is historic as it was also the home of the very first World Wrestling Entertainment pay-per-view show, the "Wrestling Classic" tournament back in the early-80's. The "Wrestling Classic" was the prelude to the modern "King of the Ring" PPV. Anyway, the big news here, and you've noted this in your report, was that U.S. Cellular bought the naming rights to Comiskey Park, home of the White Sox, recently. That deal was for 23 years, and $68 million. Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf said all the money will go towards renovations at "The Cell" as we Sox fans call it. Those renovation are badly needed, as we have been complaining since the new Comiskey Park went up in 1991 about the blandness of the park, and the steepness/height of the upper deck. Reinsdorf says the renovations will be complete for the 2005 season...let's hope so. I know I've said a lot. Keep up the good work, and I'm looking forward to your review of the new Soldier Field next football season.
on 2/9/2003, 3:26 pm
66.185.249.192
First of all, I'd like to commend you on your trip and your site. As a sports fan, it's good that you guys took the time to check out the major league venues across North America. Personally, I wish I had the money/time to do that, but we can dream, can't we?
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