Stadiums Usa Radio

30 NHL games in 30 rinks in 30 days. Hockey lover Rob Suggitt accomplished this rare feat and joins us to compare and contrast fans in Canada and the states.  Rob says hockey's original 6 cities still reign supreme. Later, Penn St. and USC go to battle in the 103rd Rose Bowl.  We trace the storied history of the Pasadena stadium with Rose Bowl CEO Darryl Dunn. And, we look at ballparks and stadiums through the lens of sports photographer Brad Mangin. Brad talks about the perfect photo shoot in places like AT&T Park in San Francisco and The Coliseum in Oakland.

Opinionated, compelling, controversial- Mike North has been sharing his thoughts on sports and more for 25 years. The sports-talk host discusses his first jobs working as a vendor at Wrigley Field and Comiskey Park and talks about some of the iconic stadiums in sports. Later- President-elect Donald Trump was a major force in the United States Football League. Historian Paul Reeths looks at Trump's impact and how the league prioritized challenging the NFL by playing in top-tier stadiums. Plus, a tour of Philadelphia's iconic Palestra with former Penn Athletic Director Steve Bilsky.  

A trip to the College Football Hall of Fame is becoming the ultimate fan experience. The Hall's Mike Bilbow says visitors can experience a virtual reality exhibit that creates the imagery of walking into college football's iconic stadiums. Also- the outfield designs at Major and Minor League ballparks are becoming works of art. Grounds keeper Britt Barry of the Class A Dayton Dragons checks in to talk about how mowing patterns create unique images that distinguish diamonds across baseball. And Packers historian Cliff Christl takes us on a tour of Lambeau Field in Green Bay and reveals a few secrets on what makes the venue truly classic.  

As the L.A. Rams come down the home stretch in their return season to SoCal, we look at attendance numbers with Turf Show Times' Joe McAtee. Joe also talks about the on-going feud between Eric Dickerson and coach Jeff Fisher and what it means for the team going forward. Later- prior to their move to Candlestick Park, the 49ers home was Kezar Stadium. Niners historian Martin Jacobs grew up just a block from Kezar and recounts selling programs at the venue and watching the likes of Hugh McElhenny and Y.A. Tittle. And- the science of home field advantage with University of Rochester professor Jeremy Jamieson.

The Milwaukee Bucks are hoping a new downtown arena energizes the city and provides incentive for free agents to come to Brew Town. Longtime Bucks reporter Gery Woelfel looks at the long fight to get the arena built and how it will be the centerpiece of a new downtown entertainment district. Also- are recent dips in NFL TV ratings a trend or just a blip on the radar?  And how can the in-game stadium experience be improved? Former super agent Leigh Steinberg has penned a new article that's gaining buzz for it's innovative ideas on ways to tweak pro football. Plus, have you checked out the latest menus at stadiums and ballparks?  The times are a changing on the stadium food front, says Ovations Foods' Charlie Neary.  

While you dive into leftover Thanksgiving goodies, we dive into attendance numbers from the 2016 baseball season. Jerry Tapp from Sports Stats on Tapp checks in and looks at winners and losers at the gate. The theme- if you win, they will come. Plus, a conversation with the man in the catbird’s seat at Death Valley in Baton Rouge- Dan Borne is the public address announcer at LSU’s Tiger Stadium. Dan details game day at LSU and how during tailgating, the locals are feasting on just about anything that doesn’t eat them first! And New York sportswriter Mike McCarthy joins us to talk about his stadium bucket list- the best seats in sports- we go atop the Green Monster at Fenway and to the roof of New York’s Madison Square Garden.

The NHL's Arizona Coyotes are on the move. We'll break down this week's new arena announcement with SB Nation's Brendan Porter, who says the move to Tempe could boost the team's fan base. Also, images of stadiums and ballparks evoke memories of times spent with families and friends. California artist Robert Redding has drafted some of the most unique stadium images at his Stadium Blueprint Company.  Robert talks about drafting a new Wrigley Field piece after the Cubs' historic World Series win. And, they are taking 'fan-friendly" to a whole different level in Atlanta. We look at renovation plans for the the Hawks' Philips Arena that is targeted at attracting millennials.  

We break down this week's stadium vote results in San Diego and Arlington and look ahead to what the results mean for each city. SB Nation's Jeff Siniard says where the Chargers land depends a lot on the Raiders pending stadium deal in Las Vegas. Also, Pete Rose will soon be sliding head first into Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. Reds Hall of Fame Executive Director Rick Walls talks about Pete's long road back into the Red's family and how it culminates with the unveiling of a Rose statue. And, which teams defend their home court in the NBA? We answer that question with Fastbreak's Jerry Tapp who has the numbers on which arenas are the toughest on visiting teams.

The New York Yankees have announced major renovation plans for famed Yankee Stadium. NYC freelance writer Jason Clinkscales says the changes will make for a more fan-friendly ballpark experience. Later, Neil deMause from the Field of Schemes visits to preview stadium votes next week in Arlington and San Diego and discusses the possibility of the Pistons joining the Red Wings in Detroit's Little Caesars Arena. Plus, Nashville Predators public address announcer Paul McCann talks hockey from Music City.

Wrigley Field is front and center in the baseball world. The gentleman at the controls of the new outfield scoreboard system at the Friendly Confines is Qamar Zaman. He joins us to talk about the view from the Press Box and how the new boards are changing the fan experience. Also, four generations of family have experienced baseball through the gates at iconic Tiger Stadium in Detroit.  We re-visit the grand ole ballpark with author Tom Stanton, who details the intimacy of the park and his time spent with Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell. And we trace the history of the NFL's oldest stadium- Soldier Field in Chicago. Author Paul Michael Peterson talks about the massive renovation project that placed a stadium within a stadium, and the historic events that define the grand venue along Lake Michigan.  

Raiders owner Mark Davis says Oakland has had plenty of time to put a stadium deal together, and he is vowing to take his team to Las Vegas. Bay Area sports reporter Steve Berman checks in to talk about Davis' relationship with NFL owners and which way the league is leaning on the Raiders future. Also- It was 27 years ago this week the earth shook in northern California, canceling the 1989 World Series.  San Francisco filmmaker Jon Leonoudakis was at Candlestick Park and talks about seeing the stadium roof shake as the sporting world looked on. And, it is the crown jewel in Edmonton- Rogers Place is the new home of the Oilers.  Longtime journalist Graham Hicks visits and says the arena is spurring growth in the city of Edmonton.  

We've reached the Final Four in the Major League Baseball playoffs. This week, we feature the fans and ballparks in Toronto and Cleveland-  SB Nation Blue Jays writer Tom Dakers talks about the changing attitude towards baseball north of the border. Plus, longtime Indians broadcaster Tom Hamilton takes us inside Progressive Field and says Indians teams of the 1990's rejuvenated baseball in Cleveland. And Stadiums USA's Mark Madorin looks at sunlight issues at newer NFL venues. 

The baseball spotlight shines on Wrigley Field as the Cubs seek to put 100 years of futility behind them. Former Cubs beat reporter Jeff Vorva checks in to talk about media accommodations at the Friendly Confines and set the scene in the ballpark press box...We look at the evolution of the stadium experience with writer David Zweig, who discusses the new age of ballpark distractions and talks about his recent tour of Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta....And we go back in time, 1962, to Hershey, Pennsylvania, and re-live Wilt Chamberlain's 100 point night at little-known HersheyPark Arena with CSN Philly writer John Finger.  

When we think of iconic Yankee Stadium, we remember jam-packed crowds cheering Hall of Fame players. But back in the 1960s, struggling Yankee teams played in a half-filled ballpark. We’ll look at the unique story of broadcaster Red Barber, and how his final game was in an empty Bronx stadium.  Writer David J. Halberstam spins the compelling tale. Also- NBA Training Camps are underway and the excitement is building in Sacramento where the Kings will tip-off in their new Golden 1 Center arena.  SB Nation reporter Blake Ellington just toured the venue and has an update. Plus, Stadiums USA's Mark Madorin looks at beer sales at college football stadiums and what's next for an Oakland group looking to build a new stadium in the bay area.

What's in a name? Plenty, if we're talking about the origins of SEC football stadiums. Rich Cirminiello of Campus Insiders checks in to trace the naming history of college football's most iconic venues. Later, when we think of lovable losers, the Chicago Cubs or 1962 New York Mets come to mind. But in pro football, the 1976-77 Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the futility leaders. Author Jason Vuic's new book looks at the Bucs' 26-game losing streak and how attendance actually increased at Tampa Stadium despite their losing ways. And Stadiums USA's Jeff Schmidt looks at legislative backing for a new domed stadium in Las Vegas and new stadium development planned for the Texas Rangers. 

Down the stretch they come in Major League Baseball. In Baltimore, the Orioles are in the thick of the A.L. East race, but crowds at Camden Yards have been less than playoff-like.  We get the pulse on fan support with Glenn Clark, a sports radio report from the greater Baltimore area. Later, a look at the evolution of stadium scoreboards- from hand-operated boards in Boston to exploding scoreboards in Chicago, we trace their history with writer Scott Allen. And Stadiums USA's Mark Madorin looks at escalating NFL franchise values driven by stadium construction.

It was the home of Hank Aaron, Eddie Matthews, Robin Yount and Paul Molitor. Although long gone, Milwaukee’s County Stadium was the venue where Wisconsin fell in love with big league baseball.  Baseball writer and researcher Gregory Wolf is the editor of a new book examining some of the greatest games at the Milwaukee ballpark. Later, a college football attendance record could be set this weekend as Tennessee and Virginia Tech square off at Bristol Motor Speedway.  Beyond the Flag reporter Christopher Olmstead has a preview and looks at efforts to build a football venue in the middle of a NASCAR infield. And, Stadiums USA’s Mark Madorin looks at stadium changes across the NFL as the regular season gets underway.

Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park, like the teams they house, will forever be linked in sports history. We look back on the unique history of these iconic ballparks with writer Harvey Frommer who examines how the stadiums nearly contributed to a trade involving Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio. Later, Stadiums USA’s Mark Madorin looks at venues hosting neutral site college football games and how drawings of a new Raiders stadium in Las Vegas looks strangely familiar to previous plans in Carson. 

Fans of the Miami Dolphins are in for a treat! The renovation of newly-named Hard Rock Stadium is nearly complete. Dolphins Insider Matt Cannata checks in to discuss all the bells and whistles on the new-look venue. Later, we go down on the field at Denver's Mile High Stadium with longtime field manager Ross Kurcab. Ross talks about the thrill of watching John Elway and Peyton Manning compete on his finely manicured grass field. And, we take a tour of NFL Stadiums with filmmaker Rhett Grametbauer, who documented his trip across the country searching for NFL heaven in a Volkswagon bus.    

The Rams made their Hollywood debut last week. We examine opening night at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with SB Nation’s Joe McAtee, who looks at what the Rams can do to stay relevant in a crowded L.A. sports market. Later, a conversation with one of the original Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders. Parrel Caplan discusses roaming the sidelines at ice cold Metropolitan Stadium and why her original cheerleading squad is getting snubbed by the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium opening ceremonies. Plus, Stadiums USA's Mark Madorin talks negotiations between the Angels and Anaheim on a new stadium deal and a twist in the San Diego marketing campaign for a new Chargers stadium.