United Center vs. Joe Louis Arena
If you are here for post-trade deadline reaction in regards to the Wings, visit one of these three posts.
I have never gone to an NHL game in any other arena aside from the Joe until last night. I had heard from others that the Joe is essentially a piece of crap and Mike Ilitch needs to opt for a new arena when their lease expires in 2009. Since I only knew the Joe, I wanted to fix it up and stay there to keep some of “the character.”
All of my previous opinions flew out the window after I stepped into the United Center arena in Chicago. Before I even stepped in to be honest. Here are the many reasons why I like the United Center so much better than JLA (there are some pro-JLA arguments mixed in as well):
1) Due to my 8 knee surgeries, I have handicap parking. At the Joe, I park in their lot and it’s still not a really short walk from the handicap spot. At United Center, I parked not even 10 feet from a side entrance and my seat section happened to be closest to that entrance. For close parking, it is $5 more expenisve at the UC than at the JLA. UC 1, JLA 0
2) Since the United Center is a relatively new arena (opened in 1995) at least compared to the JLA, everything was newer and prettier. Ok, hockey arenas don’t need to be “pretty,” but I liked the look of the UC much better than that of the concrete slab known as the JLA. UC 2, JLA 0
3) More room. The UC seats were a tad wider and more comfortable than the JLA ones. The UC has three levels and I believe there are mini concourses for the upper two levels (I was in the first level so I didn’t check out the upper levels). Even during intermission, it was fairly easy to walk around. Don’t get me wrong, it was still crowded but not quite so congested. UC 3, JLA 0
4) Admittedly, I did not check out the upper two levels at the UC. However, it appeared that it gets really steep up there and I bet it’s pretty hard to see much from the $10 nosebleed seats. As long as you don’t get the obstructed view seats at the JLA, every seat is a good one. UC 3, JLA 1
5) Bathrooms. This may not be such a big deal for guys, but if you have to use the restroom at the JLA (especially during intermission) you will wait at least 10-15 minutes. I went to use the restroom during the middle of the intermission at UC and did not wait. At all. Half of the bathroom stalls were unused. Amazing! UC 4, JLA 1
6) Arena names. There really is no argument here. You have to pick the name of Joe Louis Arena over any arena with a corporatation arena name (ie. United Center). UC 5, JLA 2
7) Lighting. After going to the UC, the JLA seems dark and gloomy inside. The UC was not overwhelmingly bright, but my dad loved the lighting for photographs and it made it easier to follow the action. UC 6, JLA 2
Music. I have to go with the UC. Between their fantastic organist and more “rock” music than the sometimes peculiar music played at the JLA, UC was the hands down winner. I even got chills during their singing of the National Anthem. UC 7, JLA 2
9) Suites. In the JLA, they only have corporate suites up above all the action. At the UC, they have suites in between each level. I bet those center ice suites between the first and second levels are absolutely fantastic to watch hockey from. UC 8, JLA 2
10) Jumbotron. Even with the newest improvements at the JLA, the UC jumbotron is just so much better. There are four giant screens (one for each side of the ice) that show video of the action below, NHL and team stats, etc. It’s easy to read partially due to how big these screens are. In addition, there are some smaller screens up there as well making it very appealing visually speaking. I also liked that they had classy images/graphics and it wasn’t quite as corny as the Wings (although I’ll take their Hey Hey Hockeytown song over the Hawks’ song any day). UC 9, JLA 2
11) Programs. I bought the Hawks’ program and was pretty disappointed. In the middle was the roster, but it was printed over 5 days before the game. Admittedly, it was trade deadline night so I wasn’t expecting the most up to date rosters, but 5 days seemed pretty out of date to me. The Wings’ programs are their latest Inside Hockeytown issue plus a paper insert with a two page poster of a player on one side and then the stats/rosters of the two teams on the other side. UC 9, JLA 3
12) Hockey vs. Basketball. I do like the JLA better in the sense that the arena is only for the Detroit Red Wings (and then concerts, events, etc.). Thus, the banners and concourses are focused on Wings history. The Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks share the UC so you see banners from both organizations inside and both Bulls and Blackhawks’ gear are being sold in the concourse. Additionally, you’ll see a Michael Jordan statue on one of the side entrances. UC 9, JLA 4
13) Announcers. While Bud Lynch is getting older and once in awhile will make a mistake, I’ll still take him over the Hawks’ announcer anyday. UC 9, JLA 5
Now don’t get me wrong, I still have a soft spot for the JLA, but I really enjoyed the UC a lot more. My dad and I liked the UC so much that we plan on trying to go to a Hawks-Wings game in Chicago once a year. We also hope to try out some other arenas as well. I’d love to go to a Wings game against a Canadian team in their city. Anyways, that was my initial reaction from the Chicago road trip.
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11 Responses to “United Center vs. Joe Louis Arena”
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March 1st, 2007 at 1:33 am
If you are ever in San Jose, go to a Shark’s game and sit in the lower bowl (face start at $75). It’s oh so luxurious. Between periods there’s great food (eg fresh carved roast beef sandwiches, sushi made right there). You want something to eat or drink during the period? No problem, somebody will get it for you (you gotta tip them of course). The decor of the bars and seating areas down there is classy and top-notch. Every time I go to JLA I ask myself when is Ilich going to dump that concrete place and do it up real nice. Doesn’t he own that big piece of land behind the Fox Theater?
March 1st, 2007 at 10:08 am
[…] Christy over at Behind the Jersey attended the Red Wings game at the United Center and gave her tale of the tape. Here is a brief comparison from her article: Arena names. There really is no argument here. You have to pick the name of Joe Louis Arena over any arena with a corporatation arena name (ie. United Center). UC 5, JLA 2 […]
March 1st, 2007 at 10:55 am
Hi there Christy! I’m also a lifelong Detroit Red Wings fan and now live out of state. So I would suggest making a road trip down to Columbus to catch a game sometime. The Nationwide arena is really nice and they have a ton of bars and restaurants literally RIGHT outside the door of the arena. Plus, there’s lots of nice hotels located nearby. Columbus is a nice, clean, small city. I think you’d like it. I actually live in Kentucky now, so Columbus is my only way to see the Wings live unless I can make it home to Detroit. And the nice thing about going to Columbus is that it’s almost like going to a home game, there’s so many Wings fans there!
March 1st, 2007 at 11:10 am
Having spent my only out of town hockey trip to JLA, I was very interested to read your thoughts on a newer arena.
While I think that Joe Louis has a more intimate “old-time” hockey feel to it, I’ll take the amenities of Nationwide Arena any day. It might not be a historic building, but it’s still a great place to watch a hockey game.
I know how you feel about some Columbus-based sports teams (Buckeyes), but if you ever have the chance I would highly suggest heading down to Columbus to catch a game. I think you’d really enjoy it.
March 1st, 2007 at 2:47 pm
Hi Christy,
Love your site. I have been a life long Wingnut banished to the left coast long ago. The Joe really is spartan when compared to the newer venues. The Shark Tank in San Jose is downtown and a really nice facility. (I first watched them inthe old Cow Palace in SF) The most outrageous has to be the Honda Ponda in Anaheim. It “shines”! Marble floors, gold railings and a wide selection of food and drink. Makes a great gathering place for all the displaced Wing fans.
March 1st, 2007 at 4:38 pm
Hi Christy !
I’ve been to the Bell Center in Montreal and the atmosphere is Great there ! If you get a chance you should check it out !
March 1st, 2007 at 7:43 pm
Steve- Wow, it sounds like San Jose has “fancy” stadium food. And yes Ilitch does own the land behind the Fox Theatre. That’s where we all are speculating the new arena will be built. Hopefully they’ll start soon since the JLA lease expires in 2009.
Jenn & Drew- Making a road trip to Columbus is the next one. I probably won’t get to it this season, but I am hoping to go down for the NHL Draft. Drew, I signed up on the BJ fan group to get tickets like you mentioned on your blog.
Rumbear- Thanks for the compliment! Wow, The Pond sounds pretty nice! Hopefully, I’ll check out the Shark Tank, Pond, and Staples Center in the near future.
Moss- Thanks for the comment! I’d love to go check out the Canadian arenas. I would love to go to the Toronto arena b/c of the Toronto/Wings history, but I’d be happy going to Montreal as well.
March 2nd, 2007 at 3:57 pm
You forgot one key stat.
At the Joe, they have hockey in April.
March 3rd, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Burn!
Nice one, Ritch.
March 3rd, 2007 at 8:58 pm
I’m a former Hawks fan who’s fed up with Wirtz. I would take JLA over the UC any day because at least the Wings have a winning hockey culture and an owner who wants to win. I’d rather go to Wolves games than see the Hawks. No wonder you had no problems getting to the restrooms in the middle of intermission–there were probably few people there.
As long as Wirtz is alive and owns the Hawks, you’ll never have problems getting tickets.
Nice blog, by the way. Too bad the Hawks don’t have anything similar as everyone in Chicago has given up on them.
January 1st, 2008 at 6:18 pm
[…] to Chicago and the trade with Florida that sent Todd Bertuzzi to Detroit. Following the game, I compared the United Center with Joe Louis […]