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USAir Arena
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USAir Arena
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1st 1978 |
A look at the souvenir apparel worn by residents of Washington, D.C., tells a lot about what a visit to USAir Arena is like. Redksins paraphernalia is followed in popularity by those of the Baltimore Orioles and Georgetown, George Washington and Howard universities. Also seen are a fair number of Washington Capitals T-shirts. But a Bullets hat or T-shirt is the hardest to find. The local NBA team just does not have a loyal following among D.C. sports fans, and USAir Arena is far from a mecca for local sports.The Arena is on the eastern edge of the Capital Beltway, and many fans express as much frustration with the location of the Bullets' home as they do with the team's lackluster play. USAir Arena has other problems, as well: Besides being one of the dimmer facilities in the NBA, it's not particularly intimate. Given the building's shape, fans not sitting at courtside feel removed from the action.
Although Bullets fans are not known for being boisterous, one season ticketholder has a well-deserved reputation around the NBA for being uniquely raucous. Robin Ficker, a local attorney, sits behind the visitors' bench and regularly heckles opposing players. Even though he's ostensibly helping the Bullets, fans quickly tire of his act. In response to complaints about Ficker and other similar individuals, the NBA instituted a rule that if a referee feels a fan is interfering with a team's huddle, he tells the offender to cease and desist. As with a player who gets a second technical foul, the offensive fan can be removed from the building if admonished again.
Source: Fodor's Four Sport Stadium Guide, 1994
USAIRWAYS ARENA DESTINED FOR WRECKING BALL
May 27, 1999
Copyright 1999 MediaVenturesThe owners of the USAirways Arena, former home of the Washington Wizards and Capitals, say the old venue is likely to be razed to make room for a retail and entertainment center. Cordish Co of Baltimore had purchased the arena from Abe Pollin, owner of the teams, and had hoped to renovate it into a retail and sports center. As the design progressed, it became clear the renovation would be too expensive and new construction would be the better alternative.
The new center will house a movie theater and retail shops, many of which have already been leased. The teams moved out of the arena in 1997 for the new MCI Center in downtown Washington.
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