The other day the Penguins announced they were making a change in who runs the PPG Paints arena. I didn’t have strong feelings one way or another at the time because there was no information. We have some now
PPG Paints Arena and Oak View Group: What does it mean for the @penguins and their fans?
via @TheAthletic https://t.co/XUh8bnEGDo
— Rob Rossi (@Real_RobRossi) June 7, 2022
Some of the highlights include improving the game day production in the arena. Things like improving the video board in the arena and updating/upgrading other production features so they can match the game presentations of teams like Vegas and Seattle. This is objectively a good thing.
“Yes sir,” Acklin said from Boston, the home base for new Penguins owners Fenway Sports Group. He added the Penguins’ objective for next season also includes “building out premium spaces at PPG Paints Arena to enhance the fan experience.”
Guess we’ll have to wait and see what that means as it pertains to the Penguins. In Tampa there is a cigar bar and there are other arenas with higher end bars and other things of that magnitude.
Another change will be the number of non-Penguin events at the arena. OVG360 views Pittsburgh as a top 20 music market. The number of opportunities to check out different acts and shows should be going up. That’s always a good thing. Previously the arena had about 160 non-hockey events. They are looking to have something at the arena (Penguins included) 300 days out of the year.
With the Penguins primarily using UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry for practices, their home arena has the luxury of adding even more than the average 160 non-hockey events it had annually staged prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
If OVG360’s ideas to fill the arena at least 300 days/nights per calendar year come to fruition, the Penguins should see a sizable boost in revenue. And that would be a welcome development after COVID-19 restrictions dragged revenue considerably from early 2020 through even the beginning of this year.
Having the Fenway Sports Group come in was a guarantee to modernize and streamline the operation of the franchise. It will also be more assertive in increasing their revenue. The Penguins should be a cap team under this ownership group. You have to spend money to make money and FSG will.
The Civic Arena site that hasn’t been developed to its potential? That might change, too.
Bottom line is the Penguins believe OVG360 is an ideal partner to help maximize the monetary potential for PPG Paints Arena, …….