On Saturday, Decemb3er 19 I journeyed to the New Cowboys Stadium to take in the first basketball game at the new venue, UNC vs #2 ranked Texas. The experience was enjoyable yet far from the coziness that the Frank Erwin Center in Austin provides.
The mezzanine or upper deck was closed and black curtains were hung at each end of the stadium to block out any sunlight. The announced crowd of 35,000 cheered loudly (75% were Texas fans) but the sound was muted a bit by the cavernous interior. The pre-game music was blaring but the baritone of PA announcer Mark Followill was a welcoming relief from the screaming NBA announcers you get these days.
The overall experience had a distant sterile feel to it. Fans would cheer but there was no deafening roar that you normally get at a home game. Courtside seats went back about 15 rows on the press side and 25-30 rows on the other side. There was no elevation and they were sitting on the floor. I was perched in the club section, section C211 about the length of a wedge shot to the court. I think I got a better view as I frequently saw the folks on the floor standing up. Same for the huge end zone bleachers. Some appeared to be sitting so far back their view must have been worse than mine.
From my point of view the players' faces were too far to be seen directly but one could see the emotion and body language when UT's Pittman issued a dunk. I watched most of the action live, meaning NOT watching the huge HD screen hanging over the court. I did however watch it for replays.
If Jerry tries to squeeze in 100,000 plus for the upcoming NBA All Star game I don't think those in the upper deck or party decks will have anything close to a good view.
I think basketball is best left in basketball arenas. I did enjoy seeing my Longhorns and would go again as I am a diehard fan and alumnus.
No comments:
Post a Comment