Bearcats to US Bank

[david aka the TYZ]

Heard today that the Cats signed a 10-year deal to play at US Bank. The fact that no one has reported this makes me hope this is not true. I heard from a guy whose son works for US Bank Arena. Take that for what it's worth.

 

[JackBauer151]

That agreement would have to be contingent on a major renovation and since we havent heard anything from anywhere Im inclined to think that may just be an unfounded rumor. If it is true I love the idea of the Cats being downtown but if its without the renovation then I hate it.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Unless they are renovating US Bank Arena, this will not happen. US Bank should be upgraded to host major concerts (that are going to Louisville or Columbus) and NCAA tournament games...

 

[david aka the TYZ]

From what I gathered, with the ten-year commitment they would have the money to spend on renovating it. He did mention renovations would be done. I honestly was hesitating to put this up as I'm not a troll nor do I want to cause a stir for no reason. I was getting on here expecting to hear reports of it. I was an opponent of this proposal in the first place but at the end of the day am down for what's best with the program. As far as credibility of the source, I don't know what this guy's son does, but I've known for years that his son does something important down there. He didn't make it sound as if it was a secret or inside information. He came up and asked if I had heard that UC signed on for 10 years. I know he wouldn't make it up, but it's possible he misunderstood what his son told him as talks to being actual facts. I'd still say they need to renevate the hell out of it if it were to be attractive to UC and fans in general.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Hope it's true but its got to include renovations.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

I talked to my guy again. He said the deal is signed but they are working out some details, including paying for the renovations. They want UC to pay for them. Now I won't pretend to be an expert on negotiating, but I don't know how a deal is signed if contingencies are not laid out. Also I'd be hard-pressed to believe UC puts forth a dime for renovations to an off-campus arena that isn't their own.

After some other discussion, I guess part of the deal is that UC medical is taking over for all the medical staff down there, replacing Beacon. This includes for the Cyclones. He said that deal is done. I'm wondering if there's some confusion on what deal is done and maybe it's just the medical staff deal that is done and they are still in negotiations about moving down there. To me, if UC is going to spend money to renovate something for basketball it needs to be 5/3rd. I imagine the cost would be similar as would the results. He did elaborate further as to what the plans are for renovations. Basically they want to drop the club seats down to the concourse level. They would blow out the south side of the arena facing the river and put in a glass front. He said they've had these plans for years, but obviously haven't had the money or tenants to go forward with it. He said he would keep me posted when he hears something and I will do the same in return.

 

[Robert]

I talked to my guy again. He said the deal is signed but they are working out some details, including paying for the renovations. They want UC to pay for them. Now I won't pretend to be an expert on negotiating, but I don't know how a deal is signed if contingencies are not laid out. Also I'd be hard-pressed to believe UC puts forth a dime for renovations to an off-campus arena that isn't their own.

After some other discussion, I guess part of the deal is that UC medical is taking over for all the medical staff down there, replacing Beacon. This includes for the Cyclones. He said that deal is done. I'm wondering if there's some confusion on what deal is done and maybe it's just the medical staff deal that is done and they are still in negotiations about moving down there. To me, if UC is going to spend money to renovate something for basketball it needs to be 5/3rd. I imagine the cost would be similar as would the results. He did elaborate further as to what the plans are for renovations. Basically they want to drop the club seats down to the concourse level. They would blow out the south side of the arena facing the river and put in a glass front. He said they've had these plans for years, but obviously haven't had the money or tenants to go forward with it. He said he would keep me posted when he hears something and I will do the same in return.

This sounds beautiful. I wonder if they are going to update the facade? Obviously the inside is more important, but good lord, that arena is ugly. If they're going to make changes to the outside structure, I would think they will be making major cosmetic changes to the exterior.

 

[JasonS]

I talked to my guy again. He said the deal is signed but they are working out some details, including paying for the renovations. They want UC to pay for them. Now I won't pretend to be an expert on negotiating, but I don't know how a deal is signed if contingencies are not laid out. Also I'd be hard-pressed to believe UC puts forth a dime for renovations to an off-campus arena that isn't their own.

After some other discussion, I guess part of the deal is that UC medical is taking over for all the medical staff down there, replacing Beacon. This includes for the Cyclones. He said that deal is done. I'm wondering if there's some confusion on what deal is done and maybe it's just the medical staff deal that is done and they are still in negotiations about moving down there. To me, if UC is going to spend money to renovate something for basketball it needs to be 5/3rd. I imagine the cost would be similar as would the results. He did elaborate further as to what the plans are for renovations. Basically they want to drop the club seats down to the concourse level. They would blow out the south side of the arena facing the river and put in a glass front. He said they've had these plans for years, but obviously haven't had the money or tenants to go forward with it. He said he would keep me posted when he hears something and I will do the same in return.

I negotiate for a living and my guess is that it is semantics. Assuming your guy is correct about an agreement in place, it is probably either a verbal agreement or (more likely) a signed agreement with contingencies in place giving both parties an out should they not be able to agree to the "minor" details. Usually these types of deals are announced as "agreed to in principle" which means the basic contract is agreed to and both parties are still working out the rest of the details.

I would be fine with US Bank as an option but I don't want to see UC paying a bunch of money to renovate an arena that the city will benefit from more than the University. Now, if US Bank Arena wants to give UC a cut of concessions and allow UC to make all of the money on advertising, I could see UC kicking in some money for the renovations. If the deal is closer to what the deal with Paul Brown Stadium is (no advertising revenue or concessions, etc) then no way am I kicking in any money to renovate that arena.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

This sounds beautiful. I wonder if they are going to update the facade? Obviously the inside is more important, but good lord, that arena is ugly. If they're going to make changes to the outside structure, I would think they will be making major cosmetic changes to the exterior.

I agree, obviously the one side would have a giant glass wall overlooking the river. I would hope they would update the entire outer shell if not blow out all walls to widen the concourses even more.

I negotiate for a living and my guess is that it is semantics. Assuming your guy is correct about an agreement in place, it is probably either a verbal agreement or (more likely) a signed agreement with contingencies in place giving both parties an out should they not be able to agree to the "minor" details. Usually these types of deals are announced as "agreed to in principle" which means the basic contract is agreed to and both parties are still working out the rest of the details.

I would be fine with US Bank as an option but I don't want to see UC paying a bunch of money to renovate an arena that the city will benefit from more than the University. Now, if US Bank Arena wants to give UC a cut of concessions and allow UC to make all of the money on advertising, I could see UC kicking in some money for the renovations. If the deal is closer to what the deal with Paul Brown Stadium is (no advertising revenue or concessions, etc) then no way am I kicking in any money to renovate that arena.

That would make sense. To me if there's an out then it's not a deal until all plans are worked out and finalized. I guess that is just semantics. Obviously if it hasn't been announced yet, then it could be an agreement in priciple. He did say they wouldn't annouce anything until some details were worked out (money for renovations). Completely agree about UC paying out money. To me you only pay money to fix something if it is yours to begin with. I could see where UC fronts some of the money and in return gets some of the cut of the profits of other events, essentially partially leasing the arena or getting part ownership. Especially any basketball tourneys that would be drawn as they would be the host of these events.

On another note, as my curious mind is always working. What happens to the shootout once UC's home is US Bank? Does it go back to home and home or will it be a neutral game on our home court? I highly doubt it goes away.

 

[ralph1950]

I talked to my guy again. He said the deal is signed but they are working out some details, including paying for the renovations. They want UC to pay for them. Now I won't pretend to be an expert on negotiating, but I don't know how a deal is signed if contingencies are not laid out. Also I'd be hard-pressed to believe UC puts forth a dime for renovations to an off-campus arena that isn't their own.

After some other discussion, I guess part of the deal is that UC medical is taking over for all the medical staff down there, replacing Beacon. This includes for the Cyclones. He said that deal is done. I'm wondering if there's some confusion on what deal is done and maybe it's just the medical staff deal that is done and they are still in negotiations about moving down there. To me, if UC is going to spend money to renovate something for basketball it needs to be 5/3rd. I imagine the cost would be similar as would the results. He did elaborate further as to what the plans are for renovations. Basically they want to drop the club seats down to the concourse level. They would blow out the south side of the arena facing the river and put in a glass front. He said they've had these plans for years, but obviously haven't had the money or tenants to go forward with it. He said he would keep me posted when he hears something and I will do the same in return.

As someone once said, I will believe it when I read it in the Enquirer. Right now, I think this is garbage. It makes no common sense for UC to leave 5/3rd Arena to go back downtown.

 

[JumpinJack5]

As someone once said, I will believe it when I read it in the Enquirer. Right now, I think this is garbage. It makes no common sense for UC to leave 5/3rd Arena to go back downtown.

Coming from Mr. "Purdue 24-14." Playing downtown is risky, but if the team does well and the University has a solid plan in place to get students down there, it could be a huge success and really help us build our brand. The benefits definitely outweigh the risks, IMO.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

If UC was to play in a renovated US Bank Arena (btw I believe either football or basketball should be played downtown), what would happen to 5th 3rd Arena? Would they just use it for volleyball, frosh invocation, etc?

 

[UCBearcats]

I talked to my guy again. He said the deal is signed but they are working out some details, including paying for the renovations. They want UC to pay for them. Now I won't pretend to be an expert on negotiating, but I don't know how a deal is signed if contingencies are not laid out. Also I'd be hard-pressed to believe UC puts forth a dime for renovations to an off-campus arena that isn't their own.

After some other discussion, I guess part of the deal is that UC medical is taking over for all the medical staff down there, replacing Beacon. This includes for the Cyclones. He said that deal is done. I'm wondering if there's some confusion on what deal is done and maybe it's just the medical staff deal that is done and they are still in negotiations about moving down there. To me, if UC is going to spend money to renovate something for basketball it needs to be 5/3rd. I imagine the cost would be similar as would the results. He did elaborate further as to what the plans are for renovations. Basically they want to drop the club seats down to the concourse level. They would blow out the south side of the arena facing the river and put in a glass front. He said they've had these plans for years, but obviously haven't had the money or tenants to go forward with it. He said he would keep me posted when he hears something and I will do the same in return.

You're getting lied to.

 

[ME80]

On another note, as my curious mind is always working. What happens to the shootout once UC's home is US Bank? Does it go back to home and home or will it be a neutral game on our home court? I highly doubt it goes away.

Wouldn't this be classic, UC Basketball moves to US Bank Arena and the shootout happens at the Neutral 5/3 arena.

 

[C I N C Y]

You're getting lied to.

I will back this up stating I have heard the exact same thing about UC Health signing the contract with US Bank. That 100% fact as I know one of the parties involved and that is sealed, signed, and delivered. Done deal. Now the part about UC signing the 10 year contract I do not know but I do know that getting UC Health was a big step towards getting UC down there. Have heard from the same person that 90% chance UC plays at US Bank and not 5/3 in the next few years. They was some heavy negotiations going on and UC almost signed a deal to play down there when they were in the Big East. With UC going to the AAC the numbers changed due to not playing as marquee of opponents as they would have in the Big East. He is not getting lied to as this talk about UC playing down there is pretty far along. Does it get done and do the numbers work out for both parties remains to be seen

 

[ralph1950]

Coming from Mr. "Purdue 24-14." Playing downtown is risky, but if the team does well and the University has a solid plan in place to get students down there, it could be a huge success and really help us build our brand. The benefits definitely outweigh the risks, IMO.

There are no benefits for UC playing all home games downtown vs on campus at 5/3rd Arena. UC may continue playing one game a year at U S Bank as they have in the past but that would be the extent of it.

 

[Bearcat22]

I talked to my guy again. He said the deal is signed but they are working out some details, including paying for the renovations. They want UC to pay for them. Now I won't pretend to be an expert on negotiating, but I don't know how a deal is signed if contingencies are not laid out. Also I'd be hard-pressed to believe UC puts forth a dime for renovations to an off-campus arena that isn't their own.

After some other discussion, I guess part of the deal is that UC medical is taking over for all the medical staff down there, replacing Beacon. This includes for the Cyclones. He said that deal is done. I'm wondering if there's some confusion on what deal is done and maybe it's just the medical staff deal that is done and they are still in negotiations about moving down there. To me, if UC is going to spend money to renovate something for basketball it needs to be 5/3rd. I imagine the cost would be similar as would the results. He did elaborate further as to what the plans are for renovations. Basically they want to drop the club seats down to the concourse level. They would blow out the south side of the arena facing the river and put in a glass front. He said they've had these plans for years, but obviously haven't had the money or tenants to go forward with it. He said he would keep me posted when he hears something and I will do the same in return.

True or not it's fun to discuss. The design reminded me of a drawing from the Golden State Warriors proposed new arena (picture # 5) in the slideshow:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ate-warriors-sick-new-arena-renderings/page/5

 

[JackBauer151]

Just spoke to a very reliable source on this issue and the only thing I could get out of him was that "Negotiations are ongoing". I asked if those negotiations are active and his response was "Very". No idea what that actually means but there seems to be some smoke around David's information.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

They key element will be where the money for the renovations come from. I think eventually the project will be funded by both the university and the city of Cincinnati, UC will receive some of the profits gained from the arena proportional to the amount UC invests. I do not see the city bending over backwards for UC like Louisville did for UofL.

 

[ME80]

Yes but I think a refurbished US Bank Arena and a tenant like the Cats could mean more money for the city than a street car ever will. Sorry, don't want to even say the two are linked or even being negotiated in the same room.