The Race for Major League Sporting Developments
Wimbledon will name its new tennis champions this weekend. The American women will soon celebrate their World Cup soccer victory in New York. And baseball is heading into its All Star Game stretch. What better time to check in on some of the country's biggest proposed or developing sporting arenas?
Price tag: $500M
Status: Under construction
The supporting structure of the new roof over Arthur Ashe was completed last month. The 23,771-seat stadium enjoys two weeks of annual glory as the main court of the US Open. But the grand slam tournament's arrival in late August coincides with storm season, which has wreaked havoc on the Open schedule. The incomplete roof will hang somewhat awkwardly over this year's matches, but should be ready come 2016, leaving the French Open as the only roofless slam.
Price tag: $1.9B
Status: Proposed
Stan Kroenke, who owns the St. Louis Rams, is in the running to bring the country's second largest city its first NFL stadium in 21 years. To satisfy local demands for a dual-team arena, his proposal includes two locker rooms, two sets of offices and two owner's suites. But it's unclear which team would join the Rams should they move back to the West Coast despite league wariness about that prospect. The San Diego Chargers are the most likely option, yet for now are tethered to a proposed new stadium in Carson, California with the Oakland Raiders.
Price tag: $345M
Status: Renovation's looming
After decades of neglect a century-old armory in the Bronx is set to transform into the world's largest ice rink. The hulking structure spans three blocks and could swallow two football fields. The rink isn't due until 2017, but adjacent commercial tenants have already been warned of rent increases between 70% and 100% in advance of the behemoth's arrival.
Price tag: $250M
Status: Seeking location
The women's World Cup final scored the sport's biggest ever US TV ratings. That appetite could lead to new stadiums around the country, including Miami, whose MLS extension team was announced last March. Since then, two proposed locations for a stadium have been scuttled. But team ownership isn't giving up on a downtown home, preferably on the waterfront. It doesn't hurt that one owner is David Beckham, who'll certainly help in the organization's goal of building with private funds.
