In arena terms, the Smoothie King Center is a geezer.
It’s one of the oldest buildings in the NBA, and like many of us senior citizens, could use an overhaul — or at least a good touch-up.
Since it opened in 1999, the arena has undergone minimal renovations, and frankly, is starting to show its age. A recent facility needs assessment recommended widespread repairs and improvements to the building.
Everyone, from team to league to state officials, agrees something needs to be done about the Pelicans’ long-term arena issue. What exactly that is remains to be seen.
To date, NBA commissioner Adam Silver has taken a hands-off approach and allowed the Pelicans to handle things. But rest assured, he and league officials are closely monitoring the situation.
A decade ago, Silver took matters into his own hands about the arena situation in Milwaukee. In speaking about the antiquated Bradley Center, he said, "At the end of the day compared to other modern arenas in the league, this arena is a few hundred thousand square feet too small. It doesn't have the sort of back-of-house space you need, doesn't have the kinds of amenities we need. It doesn't have the right sort of upper bowl/lower bowl (seating) configuration for the teams frankly that Milwaukee wants to compete against.”
Frankly, the same could be said about the Smoothie King Center and New Orleans.
Maybe that’s why he told our Pelicans beat reporter Christian Clark last year, “Ultimately, every NBA team, regardless of location and market size, needs a model, state-of-the-art arena to compete in the league.”
Other than the Pels’ logo and King Cake Baby mascot, there’s nothing state-of-the-art in the Smoothie King Center.
A new arena is the pie-in-the-sky solution. Unfortunately, Gov. Jeff Landry and state legislators have shown little motivation for a new arena project in downtown New Orleans, especially on the heels of a $560 million renovation of the Caesars Superdome.
Without motivation or funds for a new arena, a renovation appears to be the Pelicans’ best bet.
A major renovation, though, is complicated. The Smoothie King Center’s structure, small footprint and location alongside I-10 limit the room for expansion, especially on the south side of the building.
What’s more, a major makeover would force the Pelicans to relocate to another venue for at least one season, and there aren’t many viable options.
The Superdome is the obvious first choice. It played host to New Orleans Jazz games for four years in the 1970s and still can be readily configured to NBA standards. If needed, the Dome could be the Pels’ temporary home.
But such a move would come with complications. The Superdome is one of the busiest buildings in the city. NBA schedule-makers would have to work around Saints' home games, the Sugar Bowl and New Orleans Bowl, along with countless other major events that take place there annually.
Those events are a major source of revenue for the Superdome. Is the state willing to lose it? More importantly, can it afford to? And if not, where’s the money coming from to compensate for the lost revenue?
There’s no tidy solution.
Regardless of which path is pursued, this needs to be a collaborative effort. The Pelicans need to contribute to the cause. With a potential $400 million windfall from NBA expansion looming, Pelicans governor Gayle Benson and team officials certainly will have the means to make it happen. That’s found money, and it needs to be part of the equation, whether a renovation or new arena project is pursued.
Louisiana has a reputation as a “football state,” and the lack of investment in basketball arenas reflects it. But Landry and legislators need to view this in terms of economic development. In addition to the NBA, the arena hosts scores of concerts and events annually. It’s a major economic generator for the city.
The Pelicans are essentially a Fortune 500 company, and while Benson has vowed the team will not be sold on her watch, things can certainly change, especially with the team's lease at the Smoothie King Center set to expire in 2029.
It’s not hyperbole to say the arena situation is the most important issue threatening the long-term viability of the franchise in New Orleans. If a new arena can’t be built, then an upgrade of the Smoothie King Center must be the alternative solution.
It's time to stop dithering and start acting.
The future of the NBA in New Orleans just might depend on it.
