An animal that died on the highway: At first, it was the unattractive image inspired by some at the Alamodome, where the Spurs prepare to set the NBA record on Friday against the Warriors.
“The joke was that with the uprights, it looks like an armadillo that got hit by a car with its paws up,” said Char Miller, who taught history and urban planning for 26 years at Trinity University. in San Antonio, starting in 1981. A roadkill is not really the image you want for a stadium. »
NBA record attendance was 62,046 for a Chicago-Atlanta game at the Georgia Dome on March 27, 1998.
On Wednesday, Spurs announced that they had already sold 63,592 tickets.
Including standing room, the final figure may be closer to 68,000 people.
Built at a cost of US$186 million, the Alamodome was home to the Spurs from the time it was completed in 1993 until the move to the AT&T Center in 2002. Since 2011 the location has been the home of the UTSA football team.
“Having covered the NBA and FIBA in a few domes — Toronto and San Antonio in the NBA, Indianapolis at the World Cup — the Alamodome was the most impersonal,” said Doug Smith of the Toronto Star, who has covered the Raptors since their beginnings in 1995.
“A lot of concrete, a lot of space. The building wasn’t that terrible, but it was cold. »
Still, the site can certainly accommodate vast crowds.
“These places can get really loud and intimidating,” said West Island Montreal native Bill Wennington, who won three NBA titles with the Bulls from 1996-98.
I was lucky, I had already been several times in a dome. With St. John’s, we would play every season at the Carrier Dome, in front of 33,000 people. With the Bulls, I also participated in the Georgia Dome game.
Bill Wennington
Wennington is in his 20e year as a radio analyst for Bulls games.
According to Miller, there is bitterness because the Alamodome has not attracted a Super Bowl game, an NFL club or a Major League Baseball team, in this city ranking seventh in the United States for the population.
“I don’t see the Alamodome as a success, as it’s underutilized. Big events keep it in the loop, but promoter promises haven’t materialized, said Miller, author of several books including ‘San Antonio — A Tricentennial History’, ‘Deep in the Heart of San Antonio’ and, more recently, ‘West Side Rising’, also on this city. The economic impact is not up to expectations.
“The viewing angles for the football are excellent, but the place is gigantic. The sector was once vital, but building the stadium has made access difficult, and there is little greenery around. Especially compared to the AT&T Center, where the layout is really pretty. »
And residents can no longer really hope for the arrival of the Goodell circuit in San Antonio.
“The city has grown a lot, but the TV market is too small,” continued Miller, who has taught history and environmental analysis since 2007 at Pomona College, in the suburbs of Los Angeles.
“While the city could definitely support an NFL club, Dallas and Houston would find it would encroach on their markets. If ever the NFL or MLB seriously considered the case, the first request would be to build a new stadium. It’s just not going to happen. »
The site of the stadium having been occupied for 105 years by the Alamo Iron Works foundry, there was in the ground a significant quantity of remains of iron and other heavy metals. Residents of the immediate area filed three lawsuits alleging that the excavation dispersed contaminated soil into the air as well as onto schools, parks and homes.
“The courts have dismissed their complaints, but the political storm has been just as toxic to the city council,” Miller said. The city of San Antonio spent over $3 million in legal fees and about $6.4 million to remove toxic debris. »
In preparation for the 2025 March Madness Final, the stadium launched its most recent wave of renovations in late 2022. The 2018 March Madness Final was held at the Alamodome. Donte DiVincenzo, who plays with the Warriors, had 31 points to help Villanova beat the University of Michigan.
The Conference USA Division champions for the past two seasons, the Roadrunners averaged 28,917 people at the Alamodome last year.
It will be a good month for the building: on January 28, WWE will present the Royal Rumble there for the third time, after 1997 and 2017.
Golden State has been champion four times in eight years, but in 2007, it was the Spurs who could boast, thanks in particular to David Robinson and Tim Duncan. The team also swept it all in 2014.
Also on the stadium roadmap: the 1996 NBA All-Star Game.
“Damon Stoudamire of the Raptors and Bryant Reeves of the (Vancouver) Grizzlies were at the rookie game,” Smith said. There was a nice atmosphere, but the seats for the media were very far from the action.
“The Raptors publicist made sure to take me to the sidelines for the national anthems, because a really ‘cool’ Canadian was going to sing ‘O Canada’: that was the first time I saw Shania Twain. »
Stephen Curry had 24 points in his return to action Tuesday against Phoenix after an 11-game absence with a left shoulder problem.
Defending NBA champions, the Warriors still lost a third game in a row, 125-113.
Once called the Dallas and Texas Chaparrals, the Spurs celebrate 50 years in San Antonio.
They are also planning a whole fiesta on Friday (7:30 p.m., TSN2).
At halftime, Tag Team will be there to perform their 1993 hit, Whoop! (There It Is). Before the game, the American anthem will be sung by Ally Brooke, who is a native of San Antonio.
On the edge of the field there will be two emblematic boats of the San Antonio river, famous for its promenade. There will also be fireworks at the end of the meeting.
As of Monday night, the Spurs had already sold 61,500 tickets. Miller believes it will indeed be a great night on the town.
“Absolutely,” he said. It is something unique. I don’t think ‘Coach Pop’ is totally thrilled, it’s not his style to want all these extras, but we hate the Warriors and the spirit is going to be, ‘let’s go and shout a little’. There is something purifying about the idea of being in a large crowd to unleash your madness. »