While the Milwaukee Bucks are the only team in the NBA debuting a new arena this season, teams around the league have plans to improve the game-day experience for their fans.
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Atlanta Hawks
This summer, the Hawks completed a $192.5 million renovation of State Farm Arena. In doing so, the stadium has the first continuous 360-degree video screen in the NBA, as well as a re-designed concourse for improved sightlines, a barbershop overlooking the court, a courtside bar and more. Plus, fans will enjoy the NBA’s first fan-friendly food pricing with 12 food and beverage items priced below $5.
The Hawks will also feature two floor designs this season, including one to celebrate the team’s 50th anniversary.
Our Sekou Smith got a chance to preview the renovations with Hawks president Steve Koonin earlier this summer.
Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets unveiled a new court to honor the franchise’s 30-year anniversary for “Classic Night” games this season. The court is based on the design used at their former stadium from 1995-97 and features the classic Hornets logo, basketballs at the free-throw line and a teal pattern within the paint.
> Eight teams have new uniforms for 2018-19 season
“The classic court is another way we will incorporate the history of our team into our ‘Classic Night’ games during our 30th Anniversary season,” said Hornets President & Vice Chairman Fred Whitfield. “We wanted to have a classic court to go with our uniforms and the additional throwback elements of those games, and this court design was another instance of the Hornets doing something that was unique, trend-setting and memorable.”
The Hornets will play a minimum of six games on their Classic Court this season.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets updated their logo and jerseys this summer, so an update to their court was bound to happen. The new-look floor features the team’s new logo, along with update colors and plenty of unique features throughout the court.
New season. New looks.#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/lmoAmwKsJa
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) October 5, 2018
“Our franchise has a rich history containing numerous logo and color designs throughout our incredible 50- year story in Denver, “said Josh Kroenke, Vice Chairman of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. “Each era of Nuggets basketball has its own distinct look and feel, and our amazing fans should know that this latest progression aims to celebrate our unique history while turning the page to represent the current and future era of our team.”
Golden State Warriors
The 2018-19 season will be the final one for the Warriors at Oracle Center in Oakland. Next season they will move to the Chase Center across the bay in San Fransisco. The arena is bound to be spectacular with its location right on the water near downtown.
Earlier this summer, Warriors president Rick Welts gave an update on the construction project.
Once completed, the Chase Center will feature over 18,000 seats, 100,000 square feet of retail space, 580,000 square feet of office/lab space, and a 24,000-square-foot public plaza that will face the waterfront.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies took an innovative approach to their court redesign, which aligns with the updated logos and jerseys released this summer.
“We’re a city that cuts against the grain; we’re going to have the only court in the NBA that cuts against the grain,” said Jason Wexler, the Grizzlies president of business operations. “Every single court in the NBA runs goal to goal. We’re going to run the opposite direction because that’s what we do. Anytime we can make Memphis stand out, we make Memphis stand out.”
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