It was designed to be “The Baddest Bowl in Hockey” and was finished at the cost of nearly $863 million, just a mere $400 million more than it’s original expected price tag. Now, thirteen months after it’s grand opening to the public, the powers that be are having a difficult time filling the seats at both Red Wings and Pistons games alike.
And their solution to the problem? Cover the originally accepted red lower-bowl seats with black fabric covers until permanent ones can be installed later this year. If you’ve watched a Red Wings game since the team relocated across town from the beloved Joe Louis Arena last season, it’s not hard to deduce that people are not filling the seats at the state of the art new facility, which is undoubtedly the catalyst for the new seats/covers, even if those involved aren’t going to openly admit it:
“We evaluated every aspect of arena operations during the inaugural year, and after numerous discussions with the Pistons and other stakeholders, we have made the decision to install black seats at Little Caesars Arena,” Chris Granger, Group President, Sports & Entertainment, Ilitch Holdings, Inc.