[mattpoulsen]

No. A new stadium will probably not increase revenue, as far as the Omaha Royals are concerned, if they build the stadium in the same place. A new stadium will, however, help secure the College World Series for the upcoming years. The NCAA has already expressed interest in a new stadium has alluded to the possibility of moving if proper updates of Rosenblatt or a new stadium don't happen. In addition, if the new stadium is built in a more accessible and more family friendly environment you might also see a bump in the Royals' revenue. Ultimately, the CWS is a much bigger fish than are the Royals and that should be Omaha's first priority.

[DTO Luv]

The Royals should be the first priority because they are the home team who's stadium is used by the CWS. If Omaha didn't have the Royals we wouldn't have the CWS. Their will never be a stand alone CWS stadium. They will always piggy back off another teams stadium whether that stadium is in Omaha, Minneapolis, or Orlando.

The Royals attendance would be helped by a new stadium. It's been proven in every other city where the AAA teams have built new stadiums. In fact the Royals new owner is one of the guys who pinoeered new AAA stadiums with more to do than watch the game. He's been making money off of it ever since. He realizes that it's hard to follow a AAA baseball team. When players get good they get called up. They don't really play to win anything. So you give people other reasons to come to the stadium and watch the game. Pools, parks, and other forms of recreation inside the stadium have proven stable draws to AAA teams over the last few years.

[mattpoulsen]

DTO,

Maybe...I don't know though. The only time that Rosenblatt is even close to sold out is during the CWS and when CU plays UNL. Yeah, we got the CWS because of the Royals and Rosenblatt, but now that its here I don't know if we need the Royals to maintain it.

Don't get me wrong...I definitely think we need to keep the Royals...I just think we first need to make sure we keep the CWS.

[DTO Luv]

The city is not going to maintain two stadiums. They've been clear on that. If the CWS leaves Omaha they will go to another stadium that has a main tenant like the Royals are the main tenant for Rosenblatt. The CWS, as big as it is, will always have to piggy back off of another team's stadium.

[mattpoulsen]

Definitely, I agree the city won't have two stadiums. My point is that we need to worry about the CWS first and let the Royals fall into place. I just see the biggest benefit of the new stadium being retainment of the CWS. If the CWS didn't exist I'm not sure I work care at all if a new stadium were built, but with the CWS I'm a big proponent of a new stadium. Although I will miss Rosenblatt too.

[yman97]

Why wouldn't attendance wouldn't increase in a new stadium? The new stadium will be in a part of town that a lot of people frequent already (downtown, Old Market, etc). Who goes to the Rosenblatt area for anything more than a game? No one because there's nothing to do there and there's not many dining options. But if its within walking distance of Qwest and the Market, you could grab dinner, a beer and walk to a ball game all in the same night. This will open up the option of going to a ball game to many people that don't already go -- even if its just to see the new stadium. But the big key, like it or not, is keeping the NCAA happy. If you don't, they will leave.

I agree that our first priority must be the CWS and the Royals are a close second. But the CWS generates revenue and A LOT of revenue and Omaha is now becoming a destination for top-notch NCAA events like hosting March Madness games. This would not have happened without Qwest or the CWS. And the CWS is now beginning to take off... even ESPN is making a college baseball game now!

The location is ideal because it will also be near the pedestrian bridge and the casino's... it's a win win scenario. It will also bring more revenue to the merchants located in the Old Market

[jesse--james]

I guess the only one who can stop the move is the NCAA. They are having a hard time deciding because Rosenblatt has so much tradition and is unique. Perhaps the "island" stadium is what they will choose. Go to this website to sign the online petition to show your support for the 'BLAT'!!

SAVE ROSENBLATT to SAVE CWS (broken link)

[DTO Luv]

The NCAA doesn't care about tradition. If that was the case no championship game would have left any of the original host sites. The NCAA does want a new stadium.

[Steve_W]

I love the tradition of Rosenblatt and i couldn’t imagine watching to CWS anywhere else. (prob because I cant visualize it at the moment) I will say however that I haven’t been to a royals game or even thought about it since I was a little kid. If there stadium was downtown I would definitely go. It would be great to go out for so dinner and beers before the game then walk to the stadium and have a few more =-). just sounds like fun and their attendance would increase by 1 or more w/ me at least. Tough argument and I agree the overall decision is probably up to the NCAA. The Blatt really isn’t that by however and we aren’t really in NEED of a new stadium but if it can increase revenues and solidify the CWS in Omaha for at least some length of time I think we should go for it.

[jesse--james]

That is an absurd thing say! Of course the NCAA cares about tradition.
If not then why hasn't the CWS been swept away from Omaha a long time ago?

If not then why are they taking their time mulling over whether or not they want a new stadium? The players and coaches were quoted as saying they have a feeling of awe about this field of dreams that we call Rosenblatt.

Originally Posted by DTO Luv

The NCAA doesn't care about tradition. If that was the case no championship game would have left any of the original host sites. The NCAA does want a new stadium.