Need input on college paper: New Redskins facility
 

Hey guys, I'm writing a paper for one of my commercial recreation classes, and I could use some input from you guys. The assignment is to come up with a commercial recreation or tourism enterprise, and then conduct a feasibility study to determine whether or not the project would be successful. He also urged us to be creative about it, and the main goal is to make a profit.

So here's what I'm thinking: From what I've heard, the jumbo HDTV screen in Cowboys Stadium is a big attraction, and a lot of people that go to games there end up watching a majority of the game on the screen rather than actually watching the play on the field. So my idea is to have a screen that is in the mold of that one, only in a smaller venue and with no football field inside. It would be a place where people could come watch the games on a sweet huge HDTV for a cheaper price than actually going to watch in the stadium. It would also be capable of hosting concerts and other events, possibly even basketball games. I would also like to incorporate a large bar-area for those looking for a bar experience while watching the game, while at the same time having a view of the jumbo screen.

I'd really appreciate some input from you guys that have been to a number of games at FedEx and other stadiums. Here's my questions for you guys:

First, would you go to a venue like this?

Where would you put this type of venue? I'm thinking obviously a little ways away from the stadium to avoid any traffic concerns, and possibly a more convenient area for people that don't like making the trip all the way to FedEx.

How many seats would you put in it? Realistically, how many people could i expect to want to watch a game/other event here?

I figured noone would have better input on this type of project then you here at the Warpath. So what do you guys think? Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated

Re: Need input on college paper: New Redskins facility
 

It sounds like you're basically talking about a giant movie theater mixed with a bar that shows sporting events, and I for one think this is a cool idea.

If you're using the Skins as your example I would say that you would want to put this facility in Northern Virginia, basically on exactly the opposite side of the Beltway from FedEx. To me the idea would be that if you couldn't get tickets to the game or you didn't feel like making the trip to Landover you'd go to this place instead. In a way I think it would be better to go here with a large group of friends than it would be to go to the stadium since this would encourage more social interaction once the game starts.

I don't know how it would work but it would be cool if it was like a drive-in where people could tailgate throughout the game. Of course you could still have concessions but I think people would love to have the option to keep the grill going throughout the game.

Re: Need input on college paper: New Redskins facility
 

Not to blow holes in your project but it would be a huge expense to get a HD board like that and to be able to re-cope those cost would be difficult. Plus think of all the sports bars you would be competing with. I really don't see it working.

Here is any idea I kicked around for a time but never went through with it and with the advent of Expedia and Travelocity it maybe a dead idea.

Anywho, here is what you do. Apply for a IATA number, now you are a certified travel agent. Create a web site that host hotels in a specific area that is usually a seasonal place. Search for availability and good deals at area hotels and then book them for people and collect your commission from the hotels. Try to pick an area where there are limited chain hotels and a person may want a locals point of view. You work with the hotels and visitors coming in.

This is a good example of one.

[url=http://www.americasreservation.com/]America's Reservation of Newport[/url]

Re: Need input on college paper: New Redskins facility
 

Here's your other problem. NFL won't allow it. They don't like mass showings of games on large screens that people pay to get into. Hell they even shut churches down come SB time that try and make a few coins off a potluck and the game.

Re: Need input on college paper: New Redskins facility
 

Yeah, I know it would be expensive, but it doesn't necessarily have to be 100% possible. I would have a screen that would be a bit smaller to shave some of the cost, and it would be a multi-use facility to get some revenue from people other than just Redskin fans.

Thanks for the input though. I like the idea of incorporating a tailgate area that would still have a view of the screen, but I'm not sure how to make it work.

Re: Need input on college paper: New Redskins facility
 

Imax.

Re: Need input on college paper: New Redskins facility
 

FRLPG, yeah that's another problem. I've been looking into NFL liscensing to see what I could do to make this a little more realistic. Maybe some kind of deal with FOX/NFL to be allowed to show it. I'm gonna bring my questions to my professor and see what he thinks, he's pretty cool it seems like he cares more about the idea and the feasibility study than whether or not it would actually work.

Re: Need input on college paper: New Redskins facility
 

Not to sure if that will work but if you need any help with spelling or grammar let me know.

Re: Need input on college paper: New Redskins facility
 

[quote=SBprimetime;691153]FRLPG, yeah that's another problem. I've been looking into NFL liscensing to see what I could do to make this a little more realistic. Maybe some kind of deal with FOX/NFL to be allowed to show it. I'm gonna bring my questions to my professor and see what he thinks, [B]he's pretty cool it seems like he cares more about the idea and the feasibility study than whether or not it would actually work[/B].[/quote]


Yup that pretty much sounds like college.

Re: Need input on college paper: New Redskins facility
 

[quote=firstdown;691156]Not to sure if that will work but if you need any help with spelling or grammar let me know.[/quote]

Based on ^that^ sentence and "chesapeake, va"...haha.

Re: Need input on college paper: New Redskins facility
 

[quote=Buster;691163]Based on ^that^ sentence and "chesapeake, va"...haha.[/quote]

Whats wrong with chesapeake va ?

Re: Need input on college paper: New Redskins facility
 

[quote=firstdown;691167]Whats wrong with chesapeake va ?[/quote]

No caps. ;)


First down is two words also.


Just messing with you since you offered grammatical assistance.

Re: Need input on college paper: New Redskins facility
 

[quote=firstdown;691156]Not to sure if that will work but if you need any help with spelling or grammar let me know.[/quote]

I am pretty sure he wants to pass, both on the offer and in the class!

Re: Need input on college paper: New Redskins facility
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;691169]I am pretty sure he wants to pass, both on the offer and in the class![/quote]

:laughing2:goodjob:

Re: Need input on college paper: New Redskins facility
 

Oh snap!

Re: Need input on college paper: New Redskins facility
 

Well JJ paid around 40 million for that screen so you just need to figure what that works out to be a month on a 15 yr note and make more more money then that. Oh, then you have over head, employees, taxes, insurance, rent or construction etc...

You know the guy who formed UPS did that business as a project and received a D because the professor said there was no way it could ever work so don't give up hope..

Re: Need input on college paper: New Redskins facility
 

I talked to my professor and I have a better idea of what it'll be now. The screen would be more like IMAX sized or slightly larger, and It'll be kind of like a theater more than an arena. I'd broadcast all the Skins games, potentially any other large events I'd be allowed to show, and there would be a stage below the screen that could be used for a variety of things like shows, concerts, etc. There would be a couple hundred or possibly thousand seats arranged in stadium style seating. Then there will be a balcony that is more open and sort of like a food court, with tables scattered throughout and 1 or more restaurants/bars where you could sit and eat/drink and still have a great view of the game. He said the NFL license won't be a big deal and he thinks all you need is the NFL package, so that won't be a problem. Hypothetically, would you pay $15-20 to go to something like this?

Re: Need input on college paper: New Redskins facility
 

honestly, id send lavar arrington an email or phone call. im sure you could send a short Q &A email/letter to him thru his radio show or facebook twiitter.

hes been in the restaurant biz, the fact that u have his input/impression as a hypothetical investor couldnt hurt maybe help you establish what your initial capital or whatever is plus i honestly think if you go thru the right channels to contact him he would get back to you. lavar is a good dude, if this interests him or sees your request im sure hed spend some kind of response. hell id call into his radio show and talk on air.

Re: Need input on college paper: New Redskins facility
 

hypothetically - if the location was close to my house i would go if the 15-20 bucks got me alil something more than just entry. i dont see me paying 15-20 to get in the door then pay anything more than 2-4 bucks at most for beer, etc. youd have to charge regular average bar prices.

if you charge stadium or movie theater prices for stuff i wouldnt go.

i also probably wouldnt go if i had to drive 30 or more mins each way either.

u could schedule the redskin cheerleaders to show up on away games (dont they not take the whole squad on away games?). i heard the ravenettes price and it was under 500, not bad just for ad purposes alone.

Re: Need input on college paper: New Redskins facility
 

[quote=SBprimetime;691236]I talked to my professor and I have a better idea of what it'll be now. The screen would be more like IMAX sized or slightly larger, and It'll be kind of like a theater more than an arena. I'd broadcast all the Skins games, potentially any other large events I'd be allowed to show, and there would be a stage below the screen that could be used for a variety of things like shows, concerts, etc. There would be a couple hundred or possibly thousand seats arranged in stadium style seating. Then there will be a balcony that is more open and sort of like a food court, with tables scattered throughout and 1 or more restaurants/bars where you could sit and eat/drink and still have a great view of the game. He said the NFL license won't be a big deal and he thinks all you need is the NFL package, so that won't be a problem. Hypothetically, would you pay $15-20 to go to something like this?[/quote]I hate to be a Negative Nancy, but if the ultimate goal is to make a profit, you've got some issues. As others have mentioned your start up costs will be enormous. Also, if this was a successful model, why wouldn't the Verizon Center, Norfolk Scope, the Sandler Center in VB, or any smaller college campus already do this to bring in extra revenue?

People go to the Dall-ass Stadium and watch on the big screen because they're still at the game. I'll fork out a few hundred to go to a Skins game once a year. But I'm getting excellent seats and I go with my son, so it's more of a family thing and an experience I'm happy for him to be able to have.

Folks can stay home now and have a 40+ in. HDTV, with Direct TV and cheap food / beer. I'm an old, married guy now, so that's my venue of choice, but when I was still running the streets I wouldn't pay $ 15-20 dollars to go to something like this unless there was a benefit in free drinks/food. If I was going out, I'd rather be just going to a sports bar, a Hooters, or a "gentleman's club" with the game on.

Your better model would be something along the lines of the Crystal City Pub and Restaurant set-up. A huge sports bar with multiple TVs with all the games on. Then have separate areas of the bar for fans of the major teams, the local team/s of course, then Steelers (there's always Steelers fans in every city), Dallas (there are morons in every city), a NY area, etc. Then attached, or within the same block or so, a "gentleman's club" to pick up the remainder of drunk young men's disposable income. You can do this for NBA, NHL, Baseball, NCAA football, March Madness, the start-up cost is a lot less and you've got a year round product. If the object is profit, this is a better model. Plus it will be a mostly cash business, so you'll have a great deal of "tax avoidance".

Sorry, the real world is a lot less mundane & boring than the theoretical.

Re: Need input on college paper: New Redskins facility
 

You know the Alamo Drafthouse already does this. They play college games and NFL playoff games in their theaters.

Re: Need input on college paper: New Redskins facility
 

[quote=SolidSnake84;691436]You know the Alamo Drafthouse already does this. They play college games and NFL playoff games in their theaters.[/quote]

but do they show... THE DRAFT?!

Re: Need input on college paper: New Redskins facility
 

Thought this article was sort of relevant to this thread

[url=http://articles.latimes.com/2010/apr/20/news/la-ct-theater20-20100420]Movie theaters turn to live event screenings to fill seats - Los Angeles Times[/url]

Re: Need input on college paper: New Redskins facility
 

I remember the talk of 3-D NFL Games, Jerruh did that with one of their home games. Might be something to add in to this type of venture