NFL
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/de/thumb/8/89/NewOrleansSaints.svg/100px-NewOrleansSaints.svg.png
New Orleans Saints

1x Champion:
2009



Hard to believe it has taken so much damage

Louisiana Superdome

http://image05.webshots.com/5/5/87/86/61958786rWDftZ_fs.jpg
http://www.stadiumsofnfl.com/nfc/super851.jpg
http://image42.webshots.com/42/4/93/52/363849352jHfMnS_ph.jpg
http://image22.webshots.com/23/4/93/7/363849307wEqKfg_ph.jpg
http://image48.webshots.com/48/9/65/84/359996584lcVFkz_ph.jpg
http://image34.webshots.com/35/2/94/81/327329481FZvTym_ph.jpg
http://image24.webshots.com/25/4/99/83/32349983ukPcbr_ph.jpg

roof damage from Katrina that includes some pretty big rips in the roof
http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/ap/20050830/capt.ladp11408301950.hurricane_katrina_ladp114.jpg?x=214&y=345&sig=n824qOem3K1qnT2H2l1hiQ--

Quite an ugly stadium by modern standards,but remembering this is one of the great human engineering feats of the modern age.

another naked structure example.

Almost as ugly as the Astrodome (below) but a feat of engineering nonetheless.

http://www.johnnyroadtrip.com/cities/houston/images/astrodome.jpg

Apparently 465 coaches were laid on to transfer the homeless 500km from Nouvelle-Orléans to Hous-town (between respective stadia)!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2082/2414626569_233b1b5e6d_b.jpg
bigger one
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hopemeng/2414626569/sizes/o/

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2041/2352405978_dd5c59edaf_b.jpg
bigger one
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21061651@N08/2352405978/sizes/o/

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2229/2352400840_c26e198690_b.jpg
bigger one
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21061651@N08/2352400840/sizes/o/

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2038/2494758093_5b7366d025_b.jpg
bigger one
http://www.flickr.com/photos/skooksie/2494758093/sizes/o/

wow Lousisiana Superdome is huge

a great place to watch basketball as well

Do they do concerts there, if so what's the capacity?

Thursday
March 5, 2009

Superdome In The Process Of $19M Exterior Renovation Project
Superdome Renovations Not Expected To Affect Events; Set To Be Completed By April 2010 The Superdome is "getting a facelift," according to a front-page piece by Nakia Hogan of the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE. In a process that began in mid-February and…
http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=sbd.preview&articleID=128256

Do they do concerts there, if so what's the capacity?

watch venue layouts
http://www.stubpass.com/venue/louisiana-superdome/

Looks as if you can take the Saints as the team to potentially relocate to L.A. Good for New Orleans and on the owner.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AgN6XQJC4.YPI_.YGK6YaP5DubYF?slug=ap-saints-superdome&prov=ap&type=lgns

AP Source: Saints agree to Superdome lease
By BRETT MARTEL, AP Sports Writer
7 hours, 52 minutes ago

Buzz up!5 votes PrintNEW ORLEANS (AP)—The New Orleans Saints have agreed to a lease extension that will keep the NFL team playing home games in an improved Louisiana Superdome through the 2025 season.

An announcement by Saints owner Tom Benson and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at the Superdome.

A person with direct knowledge of lease negotiations confirmed to The Associated Press that a general agreement has been reached and was expected to be signed later in the week after final details have been worked out. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team and governor had yet to make the announcement.

Benson and Jindal wanted a long-term extension in place by this spring to improve New Orleans’ bid to host the 2013 Super Bowl.


It would be the city’s 10th Super Bowl and the seventh in the Superdome, an iconic, 34-year-old structure that has hosted some of the nation’s most memorable sporting events, world famous musical acts and even the late Pope John Paul II.

On Wednesday, a video presentation of the proposed deal was shown in Baton Rouge to state legislators, who will have to approve the new lease. Afterward, state Sen. John Alario said the complex deal would cap direct state cash payments to the NFL team at about $6 million a year.

Alario, D-Westwego, a powerful New Orleans area lawmaker, said the state could pay even less than $6 million each year, depending on how much money the Saints get from other income sources.

The arrangement would be far less than the $23.5 million the state is slated pay the Saints annually in a direct cash subsidy over next three years.

The deal would save the state $281 million between 2010 and 2025 compared to what the state would have paid if the current deal had been extended, a person close to the negotiations said.

The state will be giving money to Benson in other ways, however.

The state has agreed to spend $85 million in improvements to the Superdome and to lease office space for local state agencies at a downtown property Benson has an agreement to buy.

The property, next to the stadium, has been abandoned since Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005 and was known as the Dominion Tower and the New Orleans Centre mall.

Improvements to the dome—such as expanded field-level seating, new exclusive lounges, additional suites and more concession stands—are expected to create more moneymaking opportunities for the team.

The state will pay more than $6 million a year to rent the office space, a parking garage and the mall, where plans call for a plaza that could host outdoor concerts and also house bars, restaurants and shops.

The Saints have agreed to give back a combined $10.5 million out of the three remaining $23.5 million state payments so the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District can use that money for redevelopment projects in the abandoned mall. Once the projects are finished, the LSED will keep the revenues generated by events using that space.

Cash subsidies totaling $186.5 million over 10 years were part of the current lease that took effect in 2001. That lease ran through 2018, but once the subsidies ended following the 2010 season, the Saints would have had the right to leave by paying a $15 million penalty.

While it remains up to Benson and Jindal to sign off on the new deal, chief negotiators included Saints vice president and chief financial officer Dennis Lauscha, LSED chairman Ron Forman and SMG senior vice president Doug Thornton.

Thornton, whose company manages the Superdome and neighboring New Orleans Arena for the state, was the force behind the unprecedented nine-month rebuilding of the dome after Hurricane Katrina, which allowed the Saints to return for the 2006 season.

The initial rebuilding of the Superdome included replacement of the roof, cleaning and gutting of much of the building, and the rebuilding of suites and club lounges. This year, floor-to-ceiling windows were installed in the stadium’s four club lounges. Ongoing improvements include the addition of escalators that will bring club ticket holders directly from a public plaza into the lounges, and new siding. The costs for all the repairs and improvements so far total about $220 million.

The new extension calls for replacing field level seating so it hugs the rectangular contours of the football field, as opposed to its current, semi-oval layout. The change will add about 3,000 seats. New lounges will be added under lower sideline seats.

The lower concourse will be widened by more than double so concession stands may be added and bathrooms expanded. The press box would be moved from the suite level to the upper deck, allowing for more suites or premium seating.

The changes would benefit not just the Saints, but also the Sugar Bowl, Tulane football, the Bayou Classic featuring Grambling State and Southern, and other major events slated for the building, including the college basketball men’s Final Four in 2012.

The Saints contend additional revenues are necessary in small-market New Orleans, which lacks the big business headquarters on which many major professional teams rely for sponsorships and suite sales. The state never debated that, but looked to wean the team off of the large direct cash subsidies agreed upon in the 2001 lease.

During the administration of then-Gov. Mike Foster, the state hoped it would have the cash to pay the Saints’ annual subsidies based on projected hotel tax revenues in the New Orleans area. Those projections, made before the 9/11 terrorist attacks hurt tourism, wound up being far too optimistic. Since then, Katrina and now the current economic recession have provided further blows, and the state repeatedly has been forced to dig into general funds to meet its financial obligations to the Saints.

In the current economic climate, state officials saw a chance to compromise by improving the state-owned Superdome. That way, the Saints—who do not pay rent and unlike many pro clubs are not burdened by stadium debt service—could have an opportunity to greatly increase net revenue. Saints games at the dome have sold out all three seasons since the team’s return.

At the same time, the city would get a downtown high-rise back in business and the state would have the benefit of an improved stadium that serves as an engine for its tourism industry. Finally, the deal will not require any new taxes.

Associated Press reporter Melinda Deslatte in Baton Rouge contributed to this report.
..

I for one do not like it. ANy game you watch in it on TV makes you know your playing inside. No Ambient light, all man made lighting. It feels like something left over from the 70's that is not going to get any better.

Also a friend of mine from New Orleans said people will sit in the parking lot with guns and shoot the skin to see if it will deflate...... was he being serious or pulling my toe?

does anyone has a section plan of this dome? i would like to see how its structure works...

^^^
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x137/migo_photo/Superdome.jpg

Any pictures of the Superdome in baseball configuration? It's been done before.

Any pictures of the Superdome in baseball configuration? It's been done before.

No pictures, but here's video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_IMmhbRZ2k

love the superdome!!:okay:

Congrats New Orleans!!! :banana:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090519/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_nfl2013_super_bowl

Dome sweet dome: New Orleans gets 2013 Super Bowl

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – New Orleans is a Super Bowl city again.

NFL owners voted Tuesday to play the 2013 Super Bowl in New Orleans, the first time the championship will be played there since Hurricane Katrina shredded parts of the Louisiana Superdome. The hurricane caused 1,600 deaths and devastated the Gulf Coast four years ago.

New Orleans beat out Miami, which sought a record 11th Super Bowl, and 2008 host Glendale, Ariz. This is the 10th time New Orleans will be the Super Bowl site.

"We're just thrilled about what's going on," Saints owner Tom Benson said. "We're getting a new Superdome. Now we're going to get a Super Bowl on top of that. It couldn't be any more exciting than that."

New Orleans last hosted in 2002, when Adam Viniateri's 48-yard field goal as time expired lifted New England over St. Louis.

Benson said he was congratulated by the owners, even those who saw Super Bowl bids for their city get voted down.

"All are great Super Bowl cities," said Rita Benson LeBlanc, a part-owner of the Saints and Tom Benson's granddaughter. "But no city has been through more than New Orleans. ... This is just a true testament to what an entire community can do."

Still unclear: Where will the 2013 Pro Bowl be played? It's coming to Miami a week before this coming season's Super Bowl, then going back to Hawaii in 2011 and 2012. It was not part of the bidding process for the 2013 Super Bowl.

Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross congratulated New Orleans, yet also said he was "disappointed" that the 2013 game won't be coming to South Florida. Shortly after the vote was announced, local organizers said South Florida was hopeful of bidding in 2014 as well.

"I think South Florida is the best place for the Super Bowl," Ross said. "In my opinion, it should be here permanently."

Louisiana lawmakers are debating plans to spend $85 million in Superdome upgrades, which would be completed in time for the 2013 NFL title game. The upgrades would include additional seating, new suites, wider concourses and other measures for the New Orleans Saints to generate new revenue streams.

"The membership heard from three great cities today and had some terrific alternatives," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said. "But I think this is a great statement about the spirit and people of New Orleans and the great relationship the Saints and the NFL have in that community."

The Superdome played an iconic role during Katrina, which struck the city in August 2005. It was an evacuation center during the storm, housing thousands of people who had nowhere else to go. Within days, the building was tattered, filthy inside from mold, debris and raw sewage.

The Saints needed to leave their home city, then returned to great fanfare in September 2006 — a night many in New Orleans point to as perhaps the most poignant sign that normalcy was returning.

"(That) had an emotional impact on this city that carried the hearts of New Orleanians for the next two years," said J. Stephen Perry, the president of the New Orleans metropolitan convention and visitors bureau. "And this announcement today, I will tell you, will have jubilation in the streets."

The stories of suffering are still everywhere. Even now, some who lost nearly everything in 2005 are fighting to keep their federally provided trailers a bit longer.

Still, New Orleans clearly didn't forget how to host an event. College football's national championship game was played there in 2008, followed about six weeks later by the NBA All-Star game — and now football's biggest spectacle.

"This is a huge win for New Orleans, but also the entire state of Louisiana," Gov. Bobby Jindal said.

Arizona also failed in bids for the 2011 and 2012 Super Bowls, which were awarded to new stadiums in North Texas and Indianapolis.

Cities mentioned as hopefuls for the 2014 Super Bowl include Tampa, Fla., and London, which will host a regular-season game for the third straight season when New England plays Tampa Bay on Oct. 25. London officials have been briefed on the Super Bowl bidding process, but the NFL has repeatedly said no serious talks about an international Super Bowl have taken place.


..

Just Say No to Super Bowls outside of the USA

No pictures, but here's video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

Just a heads up: you can embed Youtube videos by placing "youtube" "/youtube" (replace " " with [ ]) tags around the video ID (the part after the "=" sign).

So, placing the Youtube brackets around "P_IMmhbRZ2k" gives you this:

P_IMmhbRZ2k

:)

The Exterior of the dome is that ugly gray because of age...one of the major parts of the renovation is changing the skin back to the original "light bronze" color...also adding more seats
http://blog.nola.com/graphics/2009/03/DOME030509.jpg

Nice to see that the dome got the Superbowl back.

lol $7 million from FEMA

its still always gonna feel like a night game in here.

And here was me thinking that the exterior was bare concrete. I honestly had no idea that the exterior was covered in aluminium panels. :lol:

I know I am totally biased but I love this stadium. The exterior is still fantastic and looks like something from planet of the apes. It's totally unique and it's a great result to see the Saints sign up to stay there til at least 2023.

The interior still stands up as a great place to watch football even against some great modern constructions going up. I for one would not want to replace the Super Dome in my lifetime as it is part of being a New Orleans Saints fan.

10 out of 10. Who DAT?!!

I know I am totally biased but I love this stadium. The exterior is still fantastic and looks like something from planet of the apes. It's totally unique and it's a great result to see the Saints sign up to stay there til at least 2023.

The interior still stands up as a great place to watch football even against some great modern constructions going up. I for one would not want to replace the Super Dome in my lifetime as it is part of being a New Orleans Saints fan.

10 out of 10. Who DAT?!!

I also really like the superdome, and with only an hour drive from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, I've been there more than a few times.

http://www.saintsgab.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/superdome.jpg
http://thecreoletomato.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/louisiana_superdome_2004.jpg
http://www.riverbendrealty.net/superdome_day.gif
http://www.superdome.com/images/dome_images/field.jpg
http://www.superdome.com/images/dome_images/news_main_img.jpg

Why does New Orleans have a superdome and not an open stadium?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I was just wondering the same thing. The weather is nice down in New Orleans. Maybe it is in case of too many mosquitoes or high winds due to numerous cyclones.

It rains constantly in New Orleans. Lots of pop up thunderstorms, and extremely humid too. Good place for a dome.

Here are some baseball pics:

http://static.photo.net/attachments/bboard/00B/00BpGK-22834184.jpg

http://www.andrewclem.com/Baseball/Photos/Superdome_pan.jpg

http://www.andrewclem.com/Baseball/Diag/Superdome.gif

i've been to a few tulane vs lsu baseball games at the dome. its not any worse than some of the other domes used by some mlb teams during the 60s and 70s, but still not an ideal baseball venue.

now football on the otherhand, there is nothing like a big football in the superdome. this place get real loud. it is going to be rockin' on this coming monday night. who dat.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I was just wondering the same thing. The weather is nice down in New Orleans. Maybe it is in case of too many mosquitoes or high winds due to numerous cyclones.

Do you know how your bathroom feels right after you take a hot shower? That's what New Orleans feels like it the summer.

The Louisiana Superdome's baseball configuration apparently looks more appropriate for soccer.

New Orleans has another stadium where soccer is played.

^^That's Ted Gormley Stadium in New Orleans's City Park. Capacity 26,500.

Here's a pic of Gormley
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g154/jtonglet/TadGormleyStadium.jpg

can anyone post pics of the concourse ? ive seen one pic that had a huge moat looking thing with bridges going over it , i think it was from the superdomw concourse , can anyone confirm this / post pictures ?

New Orleans and Quebec should have a MLS-team. The names? Get this:

Qlympique New Orleans FC
Olympique Quebec FC

How cool wouldn't that be?! And they could be owned by the biggest Olympiques in France; Lyon and Marsielle.

Any pics of the Superdome in its basketball configuration?

This is how it was during the Final Four in 2003

http://www.life.com/image/1935172

i've been to a few tulane vs lsu baseball games at the dome. its not any worse than some of the other domes used by some mlb teams during the 60s and 70s, but still not an ideal baseball venue.

now football on the otherhand, there is nothing like a big football in the superdome. this place get real loud. it is going to be rockin' on this coming monday night. who dat.

Darren Sharper said the noise in the Patriots game was totally deafening. Remember this is a big time veteran who has played most of the NFL stadiums and domes: "A guy could be pressing face masks with you and you're yelling and he still can't hear you."

I just hope we secure home field advantage for the playoffs as it would give us a hell of an added chance for success. Love it.

Journalist Peter King after the game Saturday night in the Superdome speaking of winning visiting quarterback Tony Romo:

I walked off the field after the game alongside Romo, the first thing he said, "Loudest game I've ever been in, anywhere, anytime. Incredible.''

Let's hope it gets even louder in a little over a weeks time. It could prove to be important given the way the D has been playing. Get the odd O lineman offside on a couple of drives and the crowd end up being an important factor.

http://data.fuskbugg.se/skalman01/Superdome.jpg


this leaves me with 2 questions.

1 how in the world is it possible for those in the boxes to even see the entire field with those sightlines ? or is the picture misleading ?

2 does anyone have pictures of the concourse above the area that says EXHIBIT ? i think i have seen a picture of it once , and it looked really cool with a bunch of bridges leading to the stand, sort of like walking over a canyon to get to you seat ;) can anyone please post a picture of this ? :)

I really hate domed stadiums...

IMO there is no problem at the boxes
http://www.seats3d.com/nfl/new_orleans_saints/

http://www.nfl.com/videos/minnesota-vikings/09000d5d816092cd/Ultimate-Audio-NFC-Championship-game

this leaves me with 2 questions.

1 how in the world is it possible for those in the boxes to even see the entire field with those sightlines ? or is the picture misleading ?

2 does anyone have pictures of the concourse above the area that says EXHIBIT ? i think i have seen a picture of it once , and it looked really cool with a bunch of bridges leading to the stand, sort of like walking over a canyon to get to you seat ;) can anyone please post a picture of this ? :)

here is a picture (iphone) from my seat in the boxes at this year's playoff against the cardinals (who dat?!)...there are no field of vision issues looking down at all. the only ones are looking up: one cannot see the video boards from the boxes, but there are hundreds of tv's hanging from the underside of the upper level to catch replays etc.

http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae308/bmcman3/IMG_0104.jpg

here is one of the bridges you were looking for...the "valley" is created when the seates are rolled into the forward position for football. the entire lower level can be rolled back for more floor space for conventions and concerts etc.

http://football.ballparks.com/NFL/NewOrleansSaints/interior2.jpg

wow thanks man !! i KNEW someone had to have a picture of " the valley " ;) Congratulations to the Championship, it was well deserved !!

I really hate domed stadiums...

Why? I'd much rather be sitting in 74F with a roof over my head watching a football game when it is 93F outside with an electrical storm and torrential rainfall. It's also much louder---ALOT louder.

Here's inside the Dome when the Saints won the Vikings game and gained their first opportunity in history to go to the Superbowl--the rest is history and we know it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSkJdWUpzws&feature=related ......Look to the right of the video (you know how this works)...there are plenty more to see of this moment if you want.

I love this stadium.
what is so magic about it? it host superbowls after superbowls, what is its secretN

I love this stadium.
what is so magic about it? it host superbowls after superbowls, what is its secretN

It's location is it's secret. Although it's not much of a secret :)

I love this stadium.
what is so magic about it? it host superbowls after superbowls, what is its secretN

It is it's location and it is turning out to be downright luxurious inside. It's just flat out beautiful inside of the place--and with another $85 million under way in renovations (almost $300 million since Hurricane Katrina), it's just like finishing a beautiful buffing of your car after a good waxing. They are also changing the configuration of the entire lower bowl which is going to up the capacity to almost 80,000 for football once completed.

Has a soccer game ever been played at the superdome? With the retractable seating, it seems like they could fit a pitch in there.

This stadium is awesome. I've never been inside it, I've only been right outside of it to take pictures and it is an enormous and imposing structure. I imagine what a concert in there is like. I'm pretty sure the sight-lines and sound would be better than that overrated Cowboys stadium.

This stadium is awesome. I've never been inside it, I've only been right outside of it to take pictures and it is an enormous and imposing structure. I imagine what a concert in there is like. I'm pretty sure the sight-lines and sound would be better than that overrated Cowboys stadium.

Here's a concert (Beyonce):

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/alon504/superdomeconcert.jpg

Has a soccer game ever been played at the superdome? With the retractable seating, it seems like they could fit a pitch in there.

I don't think this has ever happened. I would love to see it though, no one would host world cup games like New Orleans...

This stadium is awesome. I've never been inside it, I've only been right outside of it to take pictures and it is an enormous and imposing structure. I imagine what a concert in there is like. I'm pretty sure the sight-lines and sound would be better than that overrated Cowboys stadium.

Overrated because? Its advertised as ultra-luxurious, technological and big, which it is. Are you saying its none of those?

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Hi, my name is Adam. This thread is about the Louisiana Superdome.

http://www.heyokay.com/images/The%20More%20I%20Know.jpg

Overrated because? Its advertised as ultra-luxurious, technological and big, which it is. Are you saying its none of those?
Overrated because I've heard many many people claim the Cowboys Stadium to be "The Best Stadium in the World", which is of course their opinion.:okay:

the dome is really huge but the outside looks very ugly!

CUZ IT IS REMODELING. AND I REALLY LIKE TO SEE A SOCCER MATCH EITHER USA MATCH OR BRAZIL MATCH against USA!!!

YEAH ME TOO.

From SSP:


I had a chance to go home for a few days this week and here are a few updates. The city is looking good with all of these projects; especially The Superdome.

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/SAM_0394.jpg
http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/SAM_0392.jpg
http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/SAM_0391.jpg
http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/SAM_0389.jpg
http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/SAM_0322.jpg

The Superdome looks brand new from this angle.
http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/SAM_0320.jpg

Would it be possible to replace the exterior with glass? That would look cool.

I'm sure it would be possible, but an all glass facade in New Orleans Would be a terrible idea from a cooling standpoint (and I think it would look a lot worse personally). If they were to use a triple pane system the r value might be similar, but that would be astronomically expensive. Personally I think some thin horizontal windows cut through the facade every so often would look nice, and allow sime daylight and views, but I certainly wouldn't go with all glass.

It's seriously one ugly ass stadium, but I really want to go there...:lol:
I think it's because how ugly it is. One thing I like it the set up inside.

oooOOOoooooooh, looks great!

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/SAM_0320.jpg

This stadium disgusts me!

I Love this stadium, the inside appearance of the dome doesn't to do anything for me but I like the innovative stand layout which was a step in the right direction from the cuttiecutters, especially for one that wasn't home to MLB. It paved the way for Stade de France, ANZ stadium and Etihad Stadium.

Maybe they will rebuild the first 2 tiers as its time for it to become a sole Football stadium but its too iconic to demolish and start again.

After this season they are going to reposition the sideline seating on the lowest level and bring the seats closer to the field. The result will be the Dome will be in a permanent football setup and it will allow them to expand the concourse at the top of the lower level seating by some 60 feet or so and add more concessions, restrooms, etc. They'll also use the space under the seating and convert it into a new premium club space at field level. The second level probably cannot be rebuilt because that would require them to reposition structural columns for the seating bowl which help support other parts of the bowl.

I'm sure it would be possible, but an all glass facade in New Orleans Would be a terrible idea from a cooling standpoint (and I think it would look a lot worse personally). If they were to use a triple pane system the r value might be similar, but that would be astronomically expensive. Personally I think some thin horizontal windows cut through the facade every so often would look nice, and allow sime daylight and views, but I certainly wouldn't go with all glass.

Good point. I dont think about cooling. Still, the current facade is incredibly bland. I just wish they could do something about it.

After this season they are going to reposition the sideline seating on the lowest level and bring the seats closer to the field. The result will be the Dome will be in a permanent football setup and it will allow them to expand the concourse at the top of the lower level seating by some 60 feet or so and add more concessions, restrooms, etc. They'll also use the space under the seating and convert it into a new premium club space at field level. The second level probably cannot be rebuilt because that would require them to reposition structural columns for the seating bowl which help support other parts of the bowl.

That would be very nice.

Good point. I dont think about cooling. Still, the current facade is incredibly bland. I just wish they could do something about it.

I guess it is very monolithic but that is the constant challenge for Architects. How do you incorporate such a massive facility cohesively in to an urban area. Does one make a human scale mock facade or do you just present it as it is?
It's obviously easier on a green / brown field site where its "wholeness" can be viewed in one gaze as a distant fortress.

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/7817/img8271f.jpg

oooOOOoooooooh, looks great!

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/SAM_0320.jpg

Looks brand new....:)

They need to demolish this stadium, it is very ugly!

They need to demolish this stadium, it is very ugly!
Not happening.

They're spending nearly $200 million to renovate it.

Not happening.

They're spending nearly $200 million to renovate it.

I know, they should at least redo the outside....

I know, they should at least redo the outside....

Pay attention, they just did, making it even more beautiful. Now STFU.

Pay attention, they just did, making it even more beautiful. Now STFU.

I did see it, the stadium is still ugly!!!!! I never heard nobody call this stadium beautiful EVER!

Edit: wrong thread.

I did see it, the stadium is still ugly!!!!! I never heard nobody call this stadium beautiful EVER!

Then get your head out of your ass and pay attention. Are you 13 years old? You sound like a child, "I never heard nobody?" and children are to be seen and not heard.

Almost everyone in Louisiana loves this stadium

Then get your head out of your ass and pay attention. Are you 13 years old? You sound like a child, "I never heard nobody?" and children are to be seen and not heard.

Like I said before, this stadium is ugly! Get the fuck over it.

This forum needs this system for post like above^^:
http://xkcd.com/810/

It's my opinion, why do y'all care so much?

It's my opinion, why do y'all care so much?

That's how these sites work. You give an opinion, other people give theirs.

NEW ORLEANS NEEDS TO HOST SOME SOCCER MATCHES. :). USA USA USA!!!!!

Dallas, eh?

That took longer than I thought it would.

Ive always liked this place.

Looks badass and intimidating.

Dallas, eh?

That took longer than I thought it would.

Huh?!?!

Too many people getting anxiety attacks about this stadium's exterior. IMO stadia are not like any other building type. They should be viewed inside out. This stadium's exterior shouts that the good stuff is inside, and that's the way it should be. Extermely simple, unpretentious yet beautifully sculptured exterior.... Monster interior with great atmosphere...... What more could you want? Personally, not into multi-purpose stadia, but this is a close call.

Qatar needs about 5 of these for 2022 (super-air-conditioned)!

Like I said before, this stadium is ugly! Get the fuck over it.

The proper way to voice an opinion is "I think this stadium is ugly" or "in my opinion this stadium is ugly" and then you STFU, not argue with anyone that disagrees with your worthless opinion. What you are doing is stating it as fact, when it's only your opinion. And nobody cares about the opinion of a 13 year old child. When you reach 9th grade maybe you will be taught the proper way to voice an opinion

The proper way to voice an opinion is "I think this stadium is ugly" or "in my opinion this stadium is ugly" and then you STFU, not argue with anyone that disagrees with your worthless opinion. What you are doing is stating it as fact, when it's only your opinion. And nobody cares about the opinion of a 13 year old child. When you reach 9th grade maybe you will be taught the proper way to voice an opinion

I am not 13 years old.........I just turned 18 2 weeks ago.
You are the one that started the argument. This is what you said "Pay attention, they just did, making it even more beautiful. Now STFU." Stop trying to act like you are so innocent, I gave my opinion and you got offended. I have never argued with anyone, except you! You told me to Shut the @#$!# up, so of course I am going to say something back. If someone said Cowboys Stadium was ugly, I would careless.....You should act the same way.....

18, 13, same difference, still an immature troll, now unless you have something constructive to say, STFU! "This stadium is ugly" is not constructive. Usually I ignore comments like that, but you keep repeating it, which is why I told you to STFU.

18, 13, same difference, still an immature troll, now unless you have something constructive to say, STFU! "This stadium is ugly" is not constructive. Usually I ignore comments like that, but you keep repeating it, which is why I told you to STFU.
When are you going to get over it?

As with most stadiums built during at the time, the superdome was built as a multi-purpose stadium with the intention of luring an MLB team (They almost succeed in drawing the Yankees). Here are some baseball pictures.

http://www.andrewclem.com/Baseball/Diag/Superdome_baseball.gif
http://intl.ticketseating.com/maps/450w/2940-louisiana-superdome-baseball.jpg
http://www.andrewclem.com/Baseball/Photos/Superdome_pan.jpg
http://static.photo.net/attachments/bboard/00B/00BpGK-22834184.jpg
http://images.travelpod.com/users/abatage/caulfield82.540838800.62_superdome.jpg
http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/2125/louisianasuperdome02.jpg

the superdome was built as a multi-purpose stadium with the intention of luring an MLB team

http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/2125/louisianasuperdome02.jpg

I'm sure MLB would have loved a team moving to a stadium where you couldn't see home plate. :nuts:

I'm sure that many upper deck tickets would not have been sold if they had a team.

As with most stadiums built during at the time, the superdome was built as a multi-purpose stadium with the intention of luring an MLB team (They almost succeed in drawing the Yankees). Here are some baseball pictures.







How did they almost draw the Yankee's what possible reason could that franchise ever have for leaving new york and especially so a much smaller market like new orleans?

Do you know how your bathroom feels right after you take a hot shower? That's what New Orleans feels like it the summer.

excellent analogy.

a few years back, there was talk of the city of new orleans building a new outdoor stadium for the saints. it may have been the saints pushing the city for a new stadium, i forget. anyway alot of people i know were quite excited about this happening. in my opinion from pre-season through october it would be hell on the players not to mention the fans! give me a constant 70 degrees throughout the season any day. i've been to/played in summer games in the heat and its oppressive!

They need to demolish this stadium, it is very ugly!

this stadium has the potential to still be standing in 200 years and with a fresh lick of paint (or whatever) every so often will remain an iconic landmark for as long as it is maintained!

so its not a breathtakingly beautiful structure from outside, it is a functional shell which has served its purpose very well. it is big enough inside to have a major overhaul every 30 years or so to keep it current. i dare say there is a way to install a giant "cowboys style" screen if they wanted!

but the Saints should never give up a dome with all the air conditioned comfoft they provide and obvious homefield advantage with the noise that is created! no piont in building a new dome when the current one can be remodelled so well!

home sweet dome!

Dallas boi = dfwabel? Please don't use my beloved city's name while disparaging the structures of others.

How did they almost draw the Yankee's what possible reason could that franchise ever have for leaving new york and especially so a much smaller market like new orleans?

More or less Steinbrenner was using it as a bargaining chip to try and get a new stadium. New York basically just called his bluff, and he wound up staying in the Bronx. He tried the same thing with New Jersey as well

Dallas boi = dfwabel? Please don't use my beloved city's name while disparaging the structures of others.

OMG, Its just a stadium............

OMG, Its just a stadium............

now its just a stadium. A few days ago it was the subject of bad words.

now its just a stadium. A few days ago it was the subject of bad words.DUDE! Its a freaking stadium! 20 years from now this stadium might be replaced........

Why is Dallas boi warring with other users here about this stadium and his rejection of it?

http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/01/final_phase_of_superdome_facel.html

By Nakia Hogan, The Times-Picayune

Now that the New Orleans Saints have been eliminated from the playoffs, the cacophony of hammers and drills at the Superdome can begin. Work will start on the final phase of the remodeling of the Dome on Jan. 24, a five-month project aimed at further sprucing up the building that has undergone massive upgrades since Hurricane Katrina wrecked the 36-year-old venue in 2005.
When construction begins, workers will make drastic changes to the lower bowl of the stadium, reconfiguring it to increase seating by 3,500, widening the plaza concourse, building two bunker club lounges and adding additional concession stands.
Also part of the $85 million renovation that was put in place as part of the 15-year lease extension between the Saints and the state, crews will start tearing down the temporary stairs that lead from Champions Square to the Dome, replacing them with permanent steps. Workers also will complete the installation of express elevators that will taxi coaches and media from the ground level of the stadium to the press box.
"Phase by phase, this will be a brand new stadium," Saints owner/executive Rita Benson LeBlanc said. "Our goal is to bring the best game-day experience to our fans. The ease and the convenience of the new bunker clubs is unique in that it will bring our fans quickly and as close to the action as possible.
"Creating these additional club seats will allow us to remain competitive in attracting future Super Bowls, the premiere sporting event in the world. The entire lower configuration is structured to provide every fan a premium vantage point with the latest in-stadium technology. We are very excited about this new phase. When people tune in to a Saints game, it is a positive, non-stop infomercial for New Orleans, and that is important to not only the Saints but to our fans and our city."
The work is scheduled for completion by June 13, according to Dome officials.
Work could have begun sooner, but the crews had to wait until the Saints were eliminated from the postseason. The Saints lost 41-36 at Seattle on Jan. 8 in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
With the exceptions of events in the stadium's super lounges, the construction will close the stadium for the next five months. But it will be open in time for the annual Essence Festival on Fourth of July weekend.
"These next few months are extremely important," said Superdome construction manager Pat Tobler. "The scope of the work is such that it is either done or it is not done. There is no in-between.
"We are completely tearing out the existing steel deck bowl and replacing it with a pre-cast concrete deck. It's a reconfiguration of the seats. The seats are moving closer to the field, more in line with the NFL standard of today. There will be 3,500 new seats in the lower bowl. So we are either going to get it done or we are not. We are optimistic it will be done." For years, Saints and state officials have boasted about the Dome becoming, in essence, a new stadium after all the renovations were completed.
But phase II of the renovations will serve as the most visible transformation of the interior of the stadium, which will seat a little more than 73,000. Soon work crews will begin to tear down the sideline seating of the plaza level, leaving only the end zone seating structure.
Crews then will move the sideline seats about 10 feet closer to the playing field while squaring off the stands, giving the lower bowl a squared look instead of an oval setup.
Plans also call for two 7,500-square-foot bunker lounges on each side of the stadium. The lounges will be equipped with flat-screen TVs, granite counter tops and full-service bars. The lounges will serve 4,500 fans, whose old plaza seats will be upgraded to premium tickets, giving those fans leather chairs with cup-holders.
The concourses on the plaza level also will be extended, closing in space between the concourse and plaza seating to add new restrooms and concession areas.
Also, the plaza outside the stadium at Gates A and C will be widened, making it easier for fans to get into the Dome. And all elevator cabs will be upgraded.
"In the 36-year history of this building, we are about to see the most visible and transformable change that we have ever seen," said Doug Thornton, the regional vice president of SMG, the company that manages the Dome and the adjacent New Orleans Arena on behalf of the state. "The Katrina renovation was largely a repair job. We just replaced old finishes with new finishes.
"But what we are about to do is change the geometry of the building in the lower bowl and create a much wider concourse, which is going to be a very visible change for someone walking into the building for the first time next fall. That is very exciting for us."
The Dome already has undergone a massive overhaul.
Last year work was completed on the addition of 16 new luxury box suites on the 300 level and new a press box on the 700 level. The Saints' locker room also has been remodeled, more than doubling the size of their old chambers with high-tech medical equipment added.
Other enhancements that have already been made include a 6,000-square-foot Saints Team Shop located at Gate B and the demolition of the Gate C bridge that led from the New Orleans Centre to the Superdome. In the bridge's place, a massive staircase has been added, serving as an entryway into the stadium from the new 60,000-square-foot Champions Square presented by Verizon, a sports and entertainment area on LaSalle Street.
"There was a commitment to make this a world-class stadium," Superdome Commission chairman Ron Forman said. "There were a lot of things that had depreciated, a lot of things that needed to be upgraded. Our expectations are high that we are going to meet the standards that were established to make this a world-class stadium."
Mutually beneficial
The partnership between the Saints and the state appears to be working.
Under the previous deal negotiated with then-Gov. Mike Foster in 2001, the Saints were due $186 million over 10 years. When the lease was extended in 2009, the state's financial obligation to the NFL franchise was reduced based on a sliding scale, leaving the state on the hook for up to $6 million annually depending on new revenue generated from Dome renovations.
The Saints sold out their suites last season, Champions Square has been deemed a success and the increased capacity at the Dome will certainly create more revenue.
"It's still too early to tell because we have not sold the seats yet and we have not sold the extra concessions," Thornton said. "But it appears the partnership is working. The new assets are having the affect that we had hoped it would have, and that is to generate additional income for the team and thereby lower the state's obligation."
Both Saints and state officials said the upgrades to the Dome will only help land major sporting events in the future.
"By doing this we are able to keep the Dome competitive with other modern facilities," Thornton said. "It is important that we stay competitive when competing for Final Fours, BCS championships, Super Bowls and the like. And I think this will be the finishing touches of that and will keep us competitive as we go forward."

The powers that be should just put the Superdome out of it's misery. Tear it down and build something World Class

^^Sir, we're not doing that. But thanks anyways.

^^Sir, we're not doing that. But thanks anyways.

When did you get hired by the State of Louisiana or the Saints, Jim?

^^No, DemolitionDave just said the Superdome should be demolished and tried to statt a dispute.

The powers that be should just put the Superdome out of it's misery. Tear it down and build something World Class

From what I understand, the renovations are "world class". I'm curious as to what it lacks to be "world class"

i've been to a few tulane vs lsu baseball games at the dome. its not any worse than some of the other domes used by some mlb teams during the 60s and 70s, but still not an ideal baseball venue.



It is worse, there are entire sections in the upper deck where it's impossible to see home plate. If this venue ever was a MLB ballpark it would have been regarded as one of the worst ever. Certainly the darkest. It would rank below the Metrodome, Kingdome, Olympic Stadium, etc.

It is worse, there are entire sections in the upper deck where it's impossible to see home plate. If this venue ever was a MLB ballpark it would have been regarded as one of the worst ever. Certainly the darkest. It would rank below the Metrodome, Kingdome, Olympic Stadium, etc.

For what it's worth, the current renovations will prevent the baseball configuration from ever being put in place again.

^^Agreed. Let's never use the Louisiana Superdome for baseball again, especially for MLB neutral-site games.

For what it's worth, the current renovations will prevent the baseball configuration from ever being put in place again.


Sure they would of built a baseball stadium after getting a team in the city.

Renovations continue....Superdome prepares for 2012 Final Four and much more: http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/02/as-houston-hosts-final-four-new-orleans-gets-ready/

I hope they will do it well. This dome is crying for a big and smart makeover!

http://www.superdome.com/piclib/266.jpg

Construction update:

http://www.superdome.com/uploads/DomeConstructionPhotosUpdatedMarch282011.pdf

http://www.superdome.com/uploads/ChampionsSquareConstructionPhotosUpdatedMarch282011.pdf

The Superdome's lower tier is being demoed and rebuilt to increase seating by 3,500.

The Superdome's basketball capacity is 55,675. The NCAA has a policy (since 2009) on arranging the basketball court on the 50-yard line on the football field. When the Superdome hosts the Men's Final Four in 2013, will the basketball court be on the field's 50-yard line or to one side of the stadium?

The Superdome's basketball capacity is 55,675. The NCAA has a policy (since 2009) on arranging the basketball court on the 50-yard line on the football field. When the Superdome hosts the Men's Final Four in 2013, will the basketball court be on the field's 50-yard line or to one side of the stadium?

It will be placed in the center of the Superdome and the court will be elevated just like Ford Field did. It's kind of like a stage. The capacity MUST be at least 70,000 for ALL Final Fours these days.

Three videos of updates to the almost completed renovations:

http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/06/superdome_renovations_three_vi.html

New updates on the renovation

http://www.superdome.com/uploads/DomeConstructionPhotosUpdatedJune302011.pdf

And Champions Square is coming along nicely too

http://www.superdome.com/uploads/ChampionsSquareConstructionPhotosUpdatedJune302011.pdf

Looks like they did a really nice job.

Kind of funny how the new lower deck has straight stands while the middle and upper are curved, does look good though, other than the odd mixture of clean black and confetti patterned seats.

Will there be any more upgrades done to the Superdome beyond 2011 or will the current renovations be the last of the upgrades?

Vid of the new bunker club. this place is so high class now.:cheers:

http://www.twitvid.com/I41QI

Kind of funny how the new lower deck has straight stands while the middle and upper are curved...

I don't really like the look of it. And with it being straight on like that, I wouldn't want to sit on around the 10 yard line looking towards the other end of the field. Curved seating alleviates that somewhat, but not totally.

It certainly helps, the shallow pitch for the new lower sidelines and low wall along the field seems like the first few rows pretty problematic behind the benches. And it would be nice if the went to a unified color scheme, either all balck and gold or all confetti.

http://www.soulofamerica.com/soagalleries/no/famattr/NO-Arena_n_Superdome.jpg


http://c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000gVjG3Uq9iU4/s/650/650/The-Louisiana-Superdome-In-New-Orleans.jpg

Renovation update:

http://www.csnbayarea.com/common/stsimg/NFL/201106291455537422822-p2.jpeg
Ticketing area

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/268225_248045325209064_148704631809801_1186893_4396998_n.jpg

http://media.nola.com/tpphotos/photo/9210665-standard.jpg
Variegated seating scheme.

http://www.woodwarddesignbuild.com/images/sized/images/projects/slides/superdome-1-350x240.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/268225_248045331875730_148704631809801_1186894_6933206_n.jpg
Restrooms with flat screens.

http://cmsimg.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DK&Date=20110630&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=106300316&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0
Concession area coming along.

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/268225_248045338542396_148704631809801_1186896_3528783_n.jpg
Concourse improvements

http://www.aecom.com/deployedfiles/Intranet/Business%20Lines/Planning,%20Design%20&%20Development/Images_MacArthur/c02superdome.jpg

^^

looks as good as you can make the superdome!

Renovation update:

http://www.csnbayarea.com/common/stsimg/NFL/201106291455537422822-p2.jpeg
Ticketing area

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/268225_248045325209064_148704631809801_1186893_4396998_n.jpg

http://media.nola.com/tpphotos/photo/9210665-standard.jpg
Variegated seating scheme.

http://www.woodwarddesignbuild.com/images/sized/images/projects/slides/superdome-1-350x240.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/268225_248045331875730_148704631809801_1186894_6933206_n.jpg
Restrooms with flat screens.

http://cmsimg.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DK&Date=20110630&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=106300316&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0
Concession area coming along.

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/268225_248045338542396_148704631809801_1186896_3528783_n.jpg
Concourse improvements

http://www.aecom.com/deployedfiles/Intranet/Business%20Lines/Planning,%20Design%20&%20Development/Images_MacArthur/c02superdome.jpg
The Superdome looks sexy!

I know there will be difficulty in doing so because of the NCAA Final Four being held here in late March/April, but is there any thought being given to replacing the remainder of the seats on the other two levels in time for next season (when they host Super Bowl XLVII)?

Jimmy Smith of the Times Picayune
[quote]Images are seared into the recesses of Mike Foster's memory: water cascading through gaping holes in the roof, visages of anguish and desperation, hunger and thirst, extreme temperatures exacerbated by the collection of people in refuge from a disaster both natural and man made.

"The heat was unbelievable," recalled Foster, a longtime Superdome security officer. "I didn't feel a breeze for four days. It was 89, 90 at night, and the temperature got up to about 105 inside and out during the day. Count the amount of people in the building, air conditioning off, water not working properly, restroom facilities down . . . . It was horrible."

Thousands of people huddled in the Superdome those four days in late August 2005, shelter from the storm outside that would transform a city and the lives of its inhabitants. It indelibly marked the building that, for 30 years, had symbolized New Orleans' presence as a vibrant sports mecca, revitalizing a once stagnant business corridor while becoming the most noteworthy icon in a place renowned for good times, great food and charming ambiance.

"The way the building was at that time," said Foster, whose own home in the upper Ninth Ward on France Street was destroyed, "there was a lot of chaos, a lot of pain, a lot of suffering. A lot of disbelief."

A scant 13 months later, the despair Foster had witnessed from Aug. 28 through the time he and the last evacuees had left Sept. 1, 2005, had given way to delirium as he watched 70,003 fans file into a renovated and repaired stadium for the long-awaited homecoming of their beloved football team, the end of its nomadic journey, but still the beginning of the long road back to what has become a new normal in New Orleans.

"I saw joy," Foster remembers of that Sept. 25, 2006 Monday night when the Saints emphatically announced their return and their city's first step toward a hard-won renaissance. "Simply joy. Happiness. Closure from one chapter to a new beginning. A lot of people just couldn't believe it. There were a lot of people crying . . . . It was just amazing.

"In order for a person to really feel it, you had to be here. You really, truly had to be here."

The winds of Hurricane Katrina had buffeted the Superdome, peeling back its white roof, cutting power, water and sewerage, while ill-conceived, poorly constructed levees crumbled, inundating the city with flood water that laid waste to lives and property throughout metro New Orleans.

But that Monday night, just 13 months later, provided those in attendance and those still displaced who watched the spectacle unfold on television with a few hours respite from the monotonous drudgery of life at the time, the scent of freshness amid the stench of moldy sheetrock.

An eventful meeting

Roy Mouledous, 59, is the vice president of Broadmoor LLC., the Metairie-based company that won the bid in early 2006 to be the construction firm for the ambitious task of repairing and renovating the building in time for the Saints to play there in the fall.

As project manager, Mouledous oversaw the daily activity in and out of the Superdome that, at times, had 35 subcontractors working 16 hours daily toward the goal of completion for the football team's homecoming, all the while attempting, as was most everyone else, to rebuild their own lives and homes that were damaged.

"On the personal side," Mouledous said, "we kind of put everything on the back burner. I moved back into my house in Slidell probably in January or February of '06; lived upstairs because downstairs wasn't finished. Getting your parents back in their house, your son and his family back in the house . . . . Everybody else had the same things to deal with. It was an interesting time. Something I really don't desire to go through again."

Mouledous and Broadmoor had experienced, just a year before, working to restore a building under rigid deadlines, re-doing Building 3460 at the Pensacola (Fla.) Naval Air Station, the one that housed training for Navy F-15s, in 100 days after Hurricane Ivan's assault.

Working in the Superdome from the top down, Broadmoor started its job about the time a four-month remediation in the building -- where 4,000 tons of debris had been removed, 3.8 million gallons of water drained, 700,000 square feet of drywall, 800,000 square feet of ceiling tiles and 1.6 million square feet of carpeting all carted out -- was ending.

The lowest point, Mouledous recalls, was about one month into the repair when several NFL officials had come to inspect the progress and filed a less-than-optimistic report about the prospects of completion by the September goal.

Several weeks later, then-Commissioner Paul Tagliabue convened a meeting that included officials of stadium operator SMG, Saints owners Tom Benson and Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gov. Kathleen Blanco, Mouledous and other construction execs.

"The purpose of the meeting was to say, 'Is this going to happen?' " Mouledous recalled. "We had probably 25 or 30 people in the room. So Doug Thornton (SMG senior vice president) was talking about how we'd gotten to this point and where the funding came from, so on and so forth, and all of a sudden Mr. Benson stopped him and said, 'Look, we know all of that. I'm not here for that. I'm here to figure out what's going to happen. Are we going to get in this building?'

"I'm sitting there with two other people from Broadmoor, project managers. (Benson) went on a big explanation about what happened to him the year before, and how he had to have the concessions and how he had to have the parking, and for this operation to be profitable, he had to be back in the Dome. How it just wouldn't work any other way. There was no way to go anywhere else. 'Who's going to guarantee me this is going to happen.' "

Superdome's reopening: A look back

'MNF' crew has fond memories of 'emotional' game

Game holds special meaning for Saints players

Musical performances set the tone for big night

Mouledous pauses, his eyes watering, his voice quivering.

"The room got kind of quiet," he said. "I'm sitting directly across from him, and I said, 'You're going to play Sept. 25.' He looks at me and says, 'I'm going to hold you to that.'

"I'm sitting there after I make that statement, and I say to myself, 'Oh, man, what did I just do?' I look over, and there's the governor and everyone else.

"And (Benson) starts talking some more and saying, 'I'm hiring a new coach, and I'm doing the right things and getting the right players, and I'm going to have a good football team.' He stopped again, and I said, 'Mr. Benson, we're going to hold you to that.' And the whole place kind of broke up. Which is what we needed. And we moved on."

The day arrives

Edwina Handsome, 53, can remember standing as a fan in the Superdome on Dec. 6, 1987 as the Saints beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 44-34 to earn the team's first playoff appearance.

She began working at the Superdome three years later, and on Sept. 25, 2006 was in her position in the Terrace level on the West side as an usher's supervisor, and worked those "home" games in 2005 in LSU's Tiger Stadium, displaced from her Gentilly home that drowned under 11 feet of flood water.

"We cheered our team on," Handsome said of those games in Baton Rouge, "but it just wasn't the same. To be back home, in our own building, and against our biggest rival, the Atlanta Falcons, you couldn't have asked for a better night. Everybody's expectations were high. Everybody was happy to be back in the building. It was hard to be here and not get caught up in the energy."

A nurse in the Ochsner cardiac transplant wing by occupation, Handsome sees her share of life-altering transformations.

"I have," she said, "seen a lot of rebirths. But this night was like getting a new heart. It ranks up with that. I think I got here around 3:30 that day, and I was very excited. I'd been buzzing all day long. Couldn't wait. To actually be in our building . . . . . it was amazing.

"The fans were pumped. Everybody was coming up to the Terrace. They were getting off the escalators, and we were high-fiving. Everybody was like 'Go Saints, we're going to kick the Falcons.' You couldn't help getting caught up in it. Even if you were just lukewarm about it. I saw a few people coming off the escalators who looked like 'I could take this or leave it.' When I saw them later, they were really pumped and excited and ready for the game to start. When the team ran out, and they kicked off, it was deafening. So loud. So wonderful.

"I think the biggest thrill for me was watching the team run out on the field. Everybody was blazing. The noise was deafening. It was like an affirmation. We're really home. This is really happening. We're here to stay."

'Good tears'

In the 11 years that Sylvia M. Crier, 71, has worked in the Superdome, for a decade in the Southeast end zone at the since-removed disabled ramp, she'd befriended many of the patrons for whom she served.

She saw quite a few that Monday night, and others who never returned.

"Some of the ones I was accustomed to seeing, and that I had waited on all these years . . . . they didn't make it," Crier said. "There was one guy, down in a (nursing) home down in Chalmette off Chef Highway, I think he was among those 35 people or so who didn't make it."

Yet, for those who were in attendance Sept. 25, the homecoming was a source of both inspiration and healing.

"You know, this is the icon of our city. For it to be up and ready ... and seeing everybody I see at every Saints game. We hugged, and we kissed, and we cried," Crier said. "And it was just like, you know you have a bowl of gumbo and you have everything in it? Well, we just had everybody: black, white, red, whatever. We just hugged. People were trying to find out if we needed anything, if we lost anything, what they had that you might need. 'Is there anything we can do?'

"It was a very emotional time. We shared a lot of tears that night. But they were good tears. I never shall forget. It was a reunion with our patrons and a reunion with our staff. I think it brought us closer together. There was joy. Happiness. They were glad to be back home. If (sorrow) was there, you didn't notice it. They were just glad to be back, glad to be at home, glad to be at the game, glad to see the Saints."

On Sunday, five years later, Foster, Mouledous, Handsome and Crier will all be back in the Superdome, the three employees at their posts, Mouledous watching the game with his son-in-law.

And the emotions that still washes over Mouledous, and the others, will no doubt return as they did Sept. 25, 2006.[\quote]

[link]http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/09/domes_destruction_aftermath_ma.html

I don't think the outside is all that great (having last seen it about fourteen months ago in person), but it's not bad by any stretch. The pictures of the interior make me think that this stadium is going to look incredible when the renovations are finished.

For all the terrible things wrought by Hurricane Katrina, I must admit that the jump start to revamping the dome has made it astronomically better.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/10/mercedes-benz-new-orleans-superdome-naming-rights-saints-bcs-super-bowl-2013/1

from the outside it looks like an Mausoleum.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/10/mercedes-benz-new-orleans-superdome-naming-rights-saints-bcs-super-bowl-2013/1
But of course, who doesn't naturally think of posh German automobiles when they reflect on New Orleans?



:|

Took this picture myself just yesterday with my iPhone. Cropped it on the computer.... loaded it to Wikipedia too :) Im a huge lover of the Dome. I think it's design is completely timeless. Absolutely beautiful. It's old worn out skin had it looking pretty rough for a while but, now that the renovations are complete it has that shine to match its beautiful shape. Mercedes landed themselves a nice one. As they say...." the best or nothing." :)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/Superdome_from_Garage.jpg/1024px-Superdome_from_Garage.jpg

Oh that's nice, get a renovation and become a victim of an evil corporate naming rights sponsorship.

Could a soccer field fit at the Dome???

I don't see why one couldn't.

Could a soccer field fit at the Dome???

It would have definitely fit in the old setup. I don't know enough about the new setup to say...

Oh that's nice, get a renovation and become a victim of an evil corporate naming rights sponsorship.

I wasn't too hot over the idea of a corporate sponsor either, but this really isnt that bad. For 36 years the stadium has been named the "Louisiana Superdome," and not a soul I know has ever once said "I'm walking over to the Louisiana Superdome for the game." It's just "the Superdome," to everyone but TV announcers. Change the first word from Louisiana to Mercedes Benz..... and it's still just "The Superdome."

From the stand point of a Louisiana tax payer, I'm stoked that my tax dollars will no longer be flooding into the arena the way Katrina did through the roof. :cheers1:
All I've seen done so far is a Benz sign on the "pylon" sign next to the dome, and it's tastefull. I hear they have plans to add signage to the building itself which makes me nervous..... Trying to have some faith in Mercedes to keep it classy on this one.

Here's to an extended life of one of the most iconic and unique stadiums in the country. :cheers:

Does anyone know if they plan to finish replacing all the seats?

New LED lights

http://media.nola.com/tpphotos/photo/2011/10/10166948-standard.jpg

http://s1-02.twitpicproxy.com/photos/large/428835297.jpg

The emblem looks terrible

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/302095_250273661686873_121195131261394_663837_1173046778_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/312247_250273595020213_121195131261394_663835_330844143_n.jpg

At least "Superdome" is still in the name and they didn't call it something like "Mercedes Benz Centre at Sugar Bowl Drive"

It looks like this stadium sits on top of a parking garage? Is there actual parking underneath the stadium, or just on the sides? Being that it is near downtown, is there a lot of area to tailgate?

I also noticed how the seats slide in and out on the lower level to increase space for conventions and such, but wouldn't it be better to just permanently fix the seats for football and fill in the gap behind the seats and make the concourse wider? New Orleans has a pretty large convention center, so how often do they need to move the seats back to make room? I have to imagine its primary function is sporting events.

I also noticed how the seats slide in and out on the lower level to increase space for conventions and such, but wouldn't it be better to just permanently fix the seats for football and fill in the gap behind the seats and make the concourse wider? New Orleans has a pretty large convention center, so how often do they need to move the seats back to make room? I have to imagine its primary function is sporting events.
I'm pretty sure that's what they just did.

That's precisely what they just did, and though the seats are closer to the sideline now they left enough width for a soccer pitch. A natural grass field would need to be brought inside in sections before a match.
That is a garage underneath the stadium, there is tailgating around the Dome, also a new plaza just outside the stadium where bands play before the game, it's kind of like a big sports bar. Many people park around downtown and pick up a daiquiri on the walk to the Dome. Also catching an early champagne brunch at numerous restaurants downtown before the game is a great option.

While the base does sit atop a multi level parking garage, the garage does not extend beneath the field. The field actually sits at or below street level if I'm not mistaken.

http://www.aerialarchives.com/stock/img/AHLB2315.jpg

http://www.aecom.com/deployedfiles/Intranet/Business%20Lines/Planning,%20Design%20&%20Development/Images_MacArthur/c01superdome.jpg



if you want to see more pictures , Please visit below URL.



New Orleans , Louisiana Superdome (http://cafe.daum.net/stade/5Ay7/744)


http://www.nfl-hotels.com/NFL/images/venues/NFL_NewOrleansSaints.jpg

The name on the thread needs to be changed to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

^^I'm glad they kept the "Superdome" name. But this news kind of miffs me.

Instead of "Rogers Centre", why couldn't Rogers Communications re-name the venue "Rogers Skydome"?:bash:

Sorry to get off-topic.

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Quite an ugly stadium by modern standards,but remembering this is one of the great human engineering feats of the modern age.

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. The Superdome, an ugly stadium? I've never heard anyone say that or read that anywhere, except here.

Look again. It's timeless, and it has been completely renovated, expanded, and given everything that the most modern stadiums have after having undergone a nearly $400,000,000 renovation.

Ever piece of metal on the exterior has been replaced. Concourse widths have been tripled, escalators and elevators replaced, and every seat replaced. The lower bowl has been completely rebuilt so that sight-lines are as good as in any new stadium. Scoreboards and electronic advertising media are state of the art. Executive club lounges have been added at each corner of the building as have windows that are louvered so as to not significantly change the look of the building.

The stadium's outdoor architectural lighting has been completely upgraded with LED lighting that can create any color, pattern, sequence, and make the stadium look like it's about to blastoff into outer space. You can see that on YouTube.

Finally, one of the world's iconic brands, Mercedes-Benz, has placed its name on the building. Mercedes-Benz stands for timeless quality and elegance. I don't think it would place its name on a building that didn't meet the standards to which it builds its automobiles.

Like a Mercedes-Benz and like Rolex, which has large multi-faced clocks on the outdoor plaza level, the Superdome is timeless. It remains the world's largest domed stadium. Now, this historic structure, which many thought would never see a major event again after Katrina, possesses something that no new stadium can claim, i.e., being both state-of-the-art as well as being a piece of living history.

The powers that be should just put the Superdome out of it's misery. Tear it down and build something World Class

The Superdome is world class. It's a thoroughly modern stadium with a new exterior, a new interior, new electronics, new seating configurations, etc. It was world class when it was built, became mediocre by some standards, and is world class again, by pretty much anyone's set of standards. I don't think Mercedes-Benz would have put the company name over each entry if the Dome was anything but world class.

The Superdome is world class. It's a thoroughly modern stadium with a new exterior, a new interior, new electronics, new seating configurations, etc. It was world class when it was built, became mediocre by some standards, and is world class again, by pretty much anyone's set of standards. I don't think Mercedes-Benz would have put the company name over each entry if the Dome was anything but world class.

Seriously. It's more modern and nicely appointed than 90% of the stadiums posted on this board. I think its dismissed at times because it doesn't have a retractle or cable supported canopy of some kind. Most of these stadiums would kill to be as nice as the Superdome.

The Dome is on a roll. Allstate Sugar Bowl, Saints Wild Card Playoff, BCS Championship, NCAA Final Four, then the Super Bowl. Its gonna be busy but Great for the city of New Orleans!!!

Great for the city, great influx of tourists.

Seriously. It's more modern and nicely appointed than 90% of the stadiums posted on this board. I think its dismissed at times because it doesn't have a retractle or cable supported canopy of some kind. Most of these stadiums would kill to be as nice as the Superdome.

It does have kind of odd sightlines with the decks being as differently shaped as they are (as well as the first deck being as shallow is it is these days), but in terms of amenities and atmosphere its absolutely first rate. I'd definitely take it over the new Meadowlands or any of the current domes for instance, don't know that its a top 5 venue in the NFL though. And the exterior is looking really sharp at the moment.

http://gapcache.lingospot.com/2011/11/30/New_Orleans_SaintsLouisiana_Superdome_NYOTK.large.jpg

http://readsports.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/375513_268134223234150_121195131261394_714924_1217590253_n.jpg

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/684609/P1020300.JPG

http://bigtennetworks.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/uspw_5862104.jpg?w=640&h=426

beautiful inside, ugly outside. the whole shape of the dome and the disgusting exterior just puts me off. saying that the atmosphere inside the dome is fantastic and it looks really good inside. saints would be my second team after the bears so im rooting for them to go all the way to the superbowl... go on the the saints! :)

although I haven't been there in person...it looks as if the lower level actually has the worst views and the mezzanine and upper deck have the best views

although I haven't been there in person...it looks as if the lower level actually has the worst views and the mezzanine and upper deck have the best views
Uhhhh, that's pretty much every stadium in regards to football...

no, that's not true at all. although sitting in the very first rows of any stadium is usually not a good idea. if you are around row 20-40 depending on steepness you usually have ap pretty good view. it's just at the superdome the seats are so far away from the field.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1miLiBVcaBg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1miLiBVcaBg

Jesus thats a lot of signage inside. Pretty nauseating

EDIT: my bad

Jesus thats a lot of signage inside. Pretty nauseating

Not exactly hard hitting in depth journalism either. Almost an ad about their ads...


Do we start calling it "The Garage" now?

Jesus thats a lot of signage inside. Pretty nauseating

haha. i agree... it's almost like mercedes benz is hosting a car convention where an exhibition game of football just happens to be going on.

Preparation for BCS National Championship

http://wvuafm.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/UA-Football-Practice-@-Mercedes-Superdome-.jpg

http://media.al.com/sports_impact/photo/photo1-2jpg-6b122832ca049503.jpg

what a boring game. The National championship and Super Dome deserve better.

Surprised they didn't replace all the seats during the renovation, as it looks kinda odd now.

Gotta imagine that finishing redoing the seats and new scoreboards will be on the docket before long.

Getting ready for the Final Four (taken from the Saints website)

http://prod.static.saints.clubs.nfl.com/assets/images/imported/NO/photos/clubimages/2011/07-July/DSC_0099--nfl_medium_540_360.JPG

Getting ready for the Final Four (taken from the Saints website)
I guess it's all about being there. Because the players will look like nothing but hyperactive ants. That is, when you can see around the 20 rows in front of you.

I guess it's all about being there. Because the players will look like nothing but hyperactive ants. That is, when you can see around the 20 rows in front of you.

Most of the people will be sitting on the ground and in the lower portions I think. Usually stadiums like this don't fill for non-football events.

Most of the people will be sitting on the ground and in the lower portions I think. Usually stadiums like this don't fill for non-football events.

This is the Final Four, it will be full.

This is the Final Four, it will be full. You are correct. It is, in fact, already sold out from what I read except for the tickets that are reserved for the 4 schools.

Getting ready for the Final Four (taken from the Saints website)

http://prod.static.saints.clubs.nfl.com/assets/images/imported/NO/photos/clubimages/2011/07-July/DSC_0099--nfl_medium_540_360.JPG

I love this trend of putting the floor in the middle of the stadium instead of off to the side like they used to for domes.

I love this trend of putting the floor in the middle of the stadium instead of off to the side like they used to for domes.

I like where the court is, but the layout of the stands on the floor leaves a lot to be desired. The regular stadium seats actually are just fine and have a much better view than it looks like in pictures. But the elevated court with courtside seats below it is just weird. Almost like a boxing match. I've never sat down there though. It could be cool. Have never heard a first person account.

Most of the people will be sitting on the ground and in the lower portions I think. Usually stadiums like this don't fill for non-football events.

Umm.....

Umm.....

Sorry, didn't realize it was the final four! Give me a break. My school's in the ncaa tournament still (GO NC State!!!) , believe me I know basketball, had I known it was the final four I would've known it would be full, NO BRAINER. I thought it was one of the regional ncaa tournaments, like how NC State played in Columbus yesterday, where there were plenty of empty seats I might add.

But thanks for the post! I always like chuckling at the random inevitable condescending remark.

I was reading few of the previous pages and i'm really having hard time figuring out how can someone consider this stadium to have an ugly exterior.. especially after the renovations and after MB did their graphics/logo work on it. Its true gem and pure beauty. Timeless design. It looks like it could've been built yesterday.

Interior is just as brilliant as well. Top notch ground.

It really is weird that I have to look at a specific angle to notice the luxury boxes, I cant usually see them on TV.

I was reading few of the previous pages and i'm really having hard time figuring out how can someone consider this stadium to have an ugly exterior.. especially after the renovations and after MB did their graphics/logo work on it. Its true gem and pure beauty. Timeless design. It looks like it could've been built yesterday.

Interior is just as brilliant as well. Top notch ground.

What did you expect from a forum full of children and trolls?

I love this trend of putting the floor in the middle of the stadium instead of off to the side like they used to for domes.
It's basically mandatory now. Every Final Four stadium must seat 70k+. Been a few years now...

http://media.nola.com/tpphotos/photo/2012/03/10747034-standard.jpg

http://media.nola.com/tpphotos/photo/2012/03/10747033-standard.jpg

http://media.nola.com/tpphotos/photo/2012/03/10747032-standard.jpg

because of the history of this place i really want to love it. i really do.. but i just can't. its a complete eyesore!

http://content.clearchannel.com/cc-common/mlib/1158/03/1158_1333021953.jpg

It gets every championship event. Just wait till we see the Daytona 500 in it.:lol:

because of the history of this place i really want to love it. i really do.. but i just can't. its a complete eyesore!

... eyesore?

I think it looks great, especially when its glowing purple like they had it last night. The new finish seems really solid during the day too. But some people just really don't like sculptural architecture, but to each there own.

http://www.sportsnola.com/imagesnov/sports/college_basketball/dome_final_four_wide.jpg

http://binaryapi.ap.org/1d7a9848a4bb4a2e9a92630045b1f8bb/940x.jpg

http://cdn2.sbnation.com/photo_images/6313716/20120331_rvr_sd2_605.jpg

Why didn't they built a glass roof on this?

Why didn't they built a glass roof on this?

Because it was built in 1975. I think it looks better without the glass dome anyways. Very distinctive building.

Why didn't they built a glass roof on this?

..... that's a new one.

Why didn't they built a glass roof on this?

They did. It's currently sitting unused in Houston. I think they call it the Astrodome.

... eyesore?

yeah.. as in its a big, ugly, bulging, out of place concrete monument to all that was wrong with architecture in the 70's. :)

yeah.. as in its a big, ugly, bulging, out of place concrete monument to all that was wrong with architecture in the 70's. :)

I hate 70's architecture as much as the next guy, but EYESORE?

THIS is an eyesore:

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/530862_3246756101220_1636466644_2671298_1245041267_n.jpg


At least the Superdome had a paint job and a distinctive shape. What you see above is just a big concrete cylinder.

So it's a distinct eyesore? I don't know in what world this thing isn't completely dated, you don't see things that massively bulky and monolithic anywhere in the world nowadays. This isn't about trolling or hating. Believe me, it's not a stretch to find this thing ugly. I don't get the irrational response to this pretty normal opinion. People love the Superdome for a lot of reasons, it's look is not one of them.

They did. It's currently sitting unused in Houston. I think they call it the Astrodome.
Ok, but the glass roof can't be the reason to why it's unused? I suppose Astrodome less modern than the Supordome.

So it's a distinct eyesore? I don't know in what world this thing isn't completely dated, you don't see things that massively bulky and monolithic anywhere in the world nowadays. This isn't about trolling or hating. Believe me, it's not a stretch to find this thing ugly. I don't get the irrational response to this pretty normal opinion. People love the Superdome for a lot of reasons, it's look is not one of them.

thank you.

Personally, I love the place. I think it looks great in pictures, and especially on TV during games. It looks even more impressive in person.

Despite being almost 40 years old, it is nicer than most of the modern buildings in the NFL.

As a Raider fan, I'm envious of this place. It's definitely one of my favorite stadiums in all of sport.

I'm not saying it's the most beautiful place in the world, but I certainly wouldn't call it an eyesore.

There are stadiums in this country that are twice as ugly as the Superdome.

As a Falcons fan, I'm supposed to hate this place, but I love the architecture. It's very distinct and unique. I love the fact that they were able to restore the original exterior and modernized the inside. Now if it can be done to a nearly 40 year old building, it certainly can be done to a 20 year old Georgia Dome. But back to the Superdome, it looked great on tv during the semis on Saturday. Can't wait for the game tonight.

I usually don't like 60's and 70's stadiums, but I actually like this one, I mean, they have done a terrific job keeping the facility up to date. Plus it has a great location, and even if the exterior is a big-huge concrete wall, somehow they managed to give it a form that its quite interesting.

Plus the weather gives a good reason for a closed roof. And might sound silly but also has a very good name: Mercedes Benz Superdome.

P.S. Is the ring structure on top with screens, is it a permanent feature, or only for the NCAA Final Four??

THIS is an eyesore:

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/530862_3246756101220_1636466644_2671298_1245041267_n.jpg


Is that the Frank Erwin Center in Austin?

Yea, it looks :puke:

I'd prefer the Superdome any day.

I usually don't like 60's and 70's stadiums, but I actually like this one, I mean, they have done a terrific job keeping the facility up to date. Plus it has a great location, and even if the exterior is a big-huge concrete wall, somehow they managed to give it a form that its quite interesting.

Plus the weather gives a good reason for a closed roof. And might sound silly but also has a very good name: Mercedes Benz Superdome.

P.S. Is the ring structure on top with screens, is it a permanent feature, or only for the NCAA Final Four??
The exterior of the Superdome is made of aluminim NOT concrete.

Is that the Frank Erwin Center in Austin?

Yea, it looks :puke:

I'd prefer the Superdome any day.

Yeah. I was in Austin the other day....

I find it sad knowing that UT-Arlington (a school a few of you probably never even heard of) has the best looking college hoops facility in the state while the Longhorns have a truly dated facility.

At least strap some posters over that thing.

Maybe some of you haters had some valid points about it being "brutal, cold and ugly".. but seriously.. after the upgrades and renovations how can someone claim that this is brutal or ugly?

http://media.nola.com/tpphotos/photo/2012/03/10747033-standard.jpg

It dominates the area.. yea.. but it looks brilliant. New cladding is fantastic.

Love my Superdome!!!! Still want to see a soccer match at the dome

It looked absolutely fabulous tonight ! I can only hope Cowboys Stadium looks just as grand when we host the game.

It looked absolutely fabulous tonight ! I can only hope Cowboys Stadium looks just as grand when we host the game.

If the All-Star game was any indication, you may see over 100,000 in attendance. JerryWorld actually makes a pretty good looking basketball venue, and there are plenty of seats and platforms for media seating and television setups that other indoor venues just simply don't have. For that game there were still available seating areas if they chose to open them. You could theoretically see 110,000-120,000 if they can sell them.

What you see is beautiful, but, what you can't, is all that much better. The club section of the Superdome is literally the most luxurious in the NFL...the NFL swears by the Dome and the club section. We've been through alot with that arena in regards to renovation. The icing on the cake was the $85 million recently spent on upgrades...basically all of that money was nothing but "bells and whistles," for an already completely renovated stadium. But, nobody sees this on TV...it's so top notch it's truly jaw dropping. I've been in there a couple of times since they did these upgrades...so spacious, comfortable, and finished with state of the art electronics and bathrooms. You find it hard to believe that you are actually in a football stadium.

Any Pics of the club section

A Successful Final Four this year. Already talking about a future bid!!!

http://www.sportsnola.com/sports/local-sports-news/final-four-news/583306-new-orleans-makes-case-for-future-final-fours.html

A Successful Final Four this year. Already talking about a future bid!!!

http://www.sportsnola.com/sports/local-sports-news/final-four-news/583306-new-orleans-makes-case-for-future-final-fours.html

Of course New Orleans is gonna get it again. Other than NASCAR and the Olympics, what HASN'T that city hosted?

I love the Superdome. It's my favorite venue. The Astrodome is an eyesore, not the Dome. It very much compliments the skyline, like Reunion Tower, personally I'm not a huge fan of it but lots of people are.

Of course New Orleans is gonna get it again. Other than NASCAR and the Olympics, what HASN'T that city hosted?

Soccer and the new field dimension are favorable for a soccer field

Any Pics of the club section

Here's a couple from two Club Lounges---I can't find any of my own:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/alon504/Club1-1.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/alon504/club2.jpg

^^ Very cool interior :)

http://cdn2.sbnation.com/photo_images/6325585/20110402_jtl_ah6_138.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/03/article-2124514-12723FBE000005DC-151_964x669.jpg

http://www.superdome.com/piclib/417.jpg

http://globoesporte.globo.com/platb/files/1059/2012/04/Superdome_NCAA_reu710.jpg

Yeah. I was in Austin the other day....

I find it sad knowing that UT-Arlington (a school a few of you probably never even heard of) has the best looking college hoops facility in the state while the Longhorns have a truly dated facility.

At least strap some posters over that thing.

LOL

That arena looks like a "naked" version of MSG.

I will be there in June !! I am so excited ! Greetings from Buenos Aires , Argentina !

Last week Final Four...this week Monster Energy Supercross....

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/alon504/Monster.jpg

I'm not a huge fan of the student sections behind the baskets the NCAA is doing now. It has to be difficult for students to attend the Monday night championship game and therefore you have lots of empty seats. Kentucky couldnt even fill their section. Plus the sight lines are terrible. Uconn fans were the same way last year.

Just for comparison, here's a shot from NOLA in 2003:

http://media.nola.com/175years/photo/final-four-crowdjpg-d240c67fb2dafea0.jpg

I'm not a huge fan of the student sections behind the baskets the NCAA is doing now. It has to be difficult for students to attend the Monday night championship game and therefore you have lots of empty seats. Kentucky couldnt even fill their section. Plus the sight lines are terrible. Uconn fans were the same way last year.

Just for comparison, here's a shot from NOLA in 2003:

http://media.nola.com/175years/photo/final-four-crowdjpg-d240c67fb2dafea0.jpg

Not all student seats are on the floor, only half are (approx. 350/team on Saturday). The other half are in the upper bowl and determined by lottery the day of the game.

As far as Monday, student sections do not have their tickets in hand, so if you lost on Saturday, you are most likely not going on Monday but you paid for your ticket and it is not transferable.

Louisville explained the process of student ticketing here (https://louisville.edu/studentnews/archive/spring-2012/final-four-tickets).

Not all student seats are on the floor, only half are (approx. 350/team on Saturday). The other half are in the upper bowl and determined by lottery the day of the game.

As far as Monday, student sections do not have their tickets in hand, so if you lost on Saturday, you are most likely not going on Monday but you paid for your ticket and it is not transferable.

Louisville explained the process of student ticketing here (https://louisville.edu/studentnews/archive/spring-2012/final-four-tickets).

Student tickets are only $25?!? Whoah, I really regret not going to Atlanta in 07 when my Gators were in it. That was probably my best chance at ever going...

Student tickets are only $25?!? Whoah, I really regret not going to Atlanta in 07 when my Gators were in it. That was probably my best chance at ever going...

I have no idea when the NCAA has reduced prices for students.

Years ago, those who went to the Regionals (Sweet 16 round) could not get Final Four tickets as schools sold them on Sunday (if they won on Saturday) or Monday (if they won on Sunday) thus making it nearly impossible to buy the next round.

I bought or won Final Four tickets before my school went, so I never cared.
I have had seats in 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2002 and 2004.

The NCAA Tournament/Final Four is the most sterile (aka boring) environment in North American sport since as it does not sell alcohol.

I have no idea when the NCAA has reduced prices for students.

Years ago, those who went to the Regionals (Sweet 16 round) could not get Final Four tickets as schools sold them on Sunday (if they won on Saturday) or Monday (if they won on Sunday) thus making it nearly impossible to buy the next round.

I bought or won Final Four tickets before my school went, so I never cared.
I have had seats in 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2002 and 2004.

The NCAA Tournament/Final Four is the most sterile (aka boring) environment in North American sport since as it does not sell alcohol.

I bet it wasn't "sterile," this year in New Orleans. Apparently you haven't been exposed to New Orleans and our open container laws....we're the only non-communist city in this country when it comes to alcohol. We believe in individual responsibility when it comes to alcohol. You can't handle it....then you're in trouble, but, we give you the opportunity to prove yourself as a law abiding adult. It's OK if you walk down the street with a beer in your hand. You're an adult...why shouldn't you be able to????...that's our approach.

I bet it wasn't "sterile," this year in New Orleans. Apparently you haven't been exposed to New Orleans and our open container laws....we're the only non-communist city in this country when it comes to alcohol. We believe in individual responsibility when it comes to alcohol. You can't handle it....then you're in trouble, but, we give you the opportunity to prove yourself as a law abiding adult. It's OK if you walk down the street with a beer in your hand. You're an adult...why shouldn't you be able to????...that's our approach.

^Open container laws are one of the stupidest things ever. Never understood the spirit of that law...

I bet it wasn't "sterile," this year in New Orleans. Apparently you haven't been exposed to New Orleans and our open container laws....we're the only non-communist city in this country when it comes to alcohol. We believe in individual responsibility when it comes to alcohol. You can't handle it....then you're in trouble, but, we give you the opportunity to prove yourself as a law abiding adult. It's OK if you walk down the street with a beer in your hand. You're an adult...why shouldn't you be able to????...that's our approach.

Actually, I've inside the Superdome for three Sugar Bowls (one for the BCS title) and a Super Bowl, as a result, don't tell my about my personal experiences. It is still sterile since once you "booze up" before you enter the stadium, for the next seven to eight hours, you cannot drink again unless you are:

1-Inside a suite.
2- Bring airline bottles/minis in with you.

Adults drink hard before the national semi-final, but half way through, people are slowly crashing because they don't have access at the venue.

FYI, one can also walk with an open container (no brown bag and even glass), or drink while a passenger in a cab anywhere in Las Vegas.

Apparently you haven't been exposed to New Orleans and our open container laws....we're the only non-communist city in this country when it comes to alcohol..

You've clearly never been to Russia is you think communists prohibit alcohol in the street. :laugh:

Red Square is an open air vodka party in the evenings.

Superdome is a great venue. I've been there for the Sugar Bowl twice. IMO it has aged well (especially with the recent rennovations) and has a classic look-the new cladding is awesome. Also has a great location in that you can walk to the French Quarter before and after games.

In general I think NFL stadiums have a tendency to be bland. I have been to several and the Superdome is my favorite.

Brothers of the Sun Tour this past weekend:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/alon504/dome.jpg

I know I do not ask these type of questions, but what was the attendance record for any event held at the Louisiana Superdome throughout its history?

I know I do not ask these type of questions, but what was the attendance record for any event held at the Louisiana Superdome throughout its history?

87,500 for the Rolling Stones in 1981... largest indoor concert ever.

http://www.tulanegreenwave.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/superdome.html