Warren Stephens urging Little Rock to recruit more sporting events

[Rey Pygsterio]

Excerpt from story in Democrat-Gazette today:

Central Arkansas should market itself as a sports destination, investment banker Warren Stephens said during a Little Rock Rotary luncheon Tuesday.

"Sports is making an economic difference in our community," he said. "If we are not dedicating the appropriate resources to make sports a major part of our economic effort, we're missing a great opportunity."

Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau officials estimate that three sporting events held this past weekend prompted up to 5,000 stays in local hotels. The SEC tournament held at Alltel Arena in North Little Rock drew 8,000 visitors; the Class AAAAA basketball tournament held at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's new Stephens Center drew 2,500; and the Little Rock Marathon brought in 3,000.

The biggest sports event on the calendar for central Arkansas this year, he said, is the U.S. Youth Soccer Southern Region championship tournament planned for late June at North Little Rock's Burns Park with 19,000 participants expected. The women's SEC gymnastics tournament is planned for next year, and the NCAA regional men's basketball tournament will be at Alltel Arena in 2008.

[LA HAWG]

I have always thought Little Rock had a ton of potential in this area just not a lot of leadership or planning.  It really could be a great city.

[RazorCaddy]

I have always thought Little Rock had a ton of potential in this area just not a lot of leadership or planning.  It really could be a great city.

Its definitely on its way to being a City with some attractions. Stephens has done alot for the community and especially bringing sports to the community. Its amazing how much one family can do. The Alotian club has brought some attention to Little Rock being the best new private club in the country in 05 and the ball park Stephens is doing downtown is going to be top of the line as well. Its going to be interesting to see how much it changes in the next 5 years as the last 5 years have been huge.

[hawgjowls]

am i correct in thinking LR gets a NCAA regional in 2008?

[Patch]

am i correct in thinking LR gets a NCAA regional in 2008?

Yes, and I hope they make some upgrades to Alltel before that time comes.

[RazorCaddy]

am i correct in thinking LR gets a NCAA regional in 2008?

]
That is correct. Now that alot of the hotels downtown have been remodeled and upscaled we meet the guidelines for having a Men's NCAA regional tournament here. We have tried to get this in the past but didn't have the proper infrastructure in the downtown area to qualify.

[Jim Harris]

I wish Warren would recruit the PGA Championship to his Alotian course.

[hogfan064]

2 Words

Diamond Bowl

If Shreveport can host a bowl game why can't Little Rock?  War Memorial is a dump, but so is Independence Stadium and the Liberty Bowl.  The local fans would support it.  Get a Big 12-SEC game and the fan support would be amazing.

[hawgjowls]

am i correct in thinking LR gets a NCAA regional in 2008?

Yes, and I hope they make some upgrades to Alltel before that time comes.

like what?  it was just built.

[RazorCaddy]

I wish Warren would recruit the PGA Championship to his Alotian course.

That time will come at some point. Not saying that I am close to the situation but I know people that are and it has been talked about.  

[12under]

I wish Warren would recruit the PGA Championship to his Alotian course.

im not sure he really wants an event out there.  not sure, though. 

[hogfan064]

2 Words

Diamond Bowl

If Shreveport can host a bowl game why can't Little Rock?  War Memorial is a dump, but so is Independence Stadium and the Liberty Bowl.  The local fans would support it.  Get a Big 12-SEC game and the fan support would be amazing.

War Memorial doesn't have to be a dump. That's a whole other issue though.

I love War Memorial. It's where I saw my first Hog game and I hope we always have some games there.  It has alot of sentimental value to it.   Putting a bowl game there could get some upgrades for the facility

[RazorCaddy]

I wish Warren would recruit the PGA Championship to his Alotian course.

im not sure he really wants an event out there.  not sure, though. 

Yeah, thats what he is stating publicly right now but what type of person talks about "bringing large sporting events to the community" and builds a top notch course that doesn't ever house a major tournament. Its just something that won't be planned for a while but it will happen. For now, he wants it to be exclusive.

[The_Bionic_Pig]

Little Rock/North Little Rock were to get JUCO  Football would that have a impact.  I know a ton of Razorback fans would love to see a 2 year star in their own backyard.

[12under]

I wish Warren would recruit the PGA Championship to his Alotian course.

im not sure he really wants an event out there.  not sure, though. 

Yeah, thats what he is stating publicly right now but what type of person talks about "bringing large sporting events to the community" and builds a top notch course that doesn't ever house a major tournament. Its just something that won't be planned for a while but it will happen. For now, he wants it to be exclusive.

it very well could happen.  it is very difficult to get one the PGA Tour schedule, though.  from what i hear, the course would not be on the level to get an event such as a US Open or other major.  btw, do you happen to caddy out there?

[Patch]

am i correct in thinking LR gets a NCAA regional in 2008?

Yes, and I hope they make some upgrades to Alltel before that time comes.

like what?  it was just built.

It's not that anything put in there needs to be replaced, it's just that there's nothing impressive about Alltel. The outside of it facing North (the side that everyone sees driving past on the interstate) is an eyesore. Why can't they make it look like the side facing the river with glass and good lighting.

The inside is very basic. Nearly everyone that I've talked to from out of state who visits Alltel is very unimpressed. There aren't any restaurants, shops, or any other type of entertainment. Anymore, arenas are not just places to go watch an event. They're places to be entertained in many different ways. Alltel doesn't provide that.

[RazorCaddy]

I wish Warren would recruit the PGA Championship to his Alotian course.

im not sure he really wants an event out there.  not sure, though. 

Yeah, thats what he is stating publicly right now but what type of person talks about "bringing large sporting events to the community" and builds a top notch course that doesn't ever house a major tournament. Its just something that won't be planned for a while but it will happen. For now, he wants it to be exclusive.

it very well could happen.  it is very difficult to get one the PGA Tour schedule, though.  from what i hear, the course would not be on the level to get an event such as a US Open or other major.  btw, do you happen to caddy out there?

Have I caddied out there? Yes, when they have been short handed in the past. I know a few of the members. Nothing full time or anything.

[Jim Harris]

am i correct in thinking LR gets a NCAA regional in 2008?

Yes, and I hope they make some upgrades to Alltel before that time comes.

like what?  it was just built.

It's not that anything put in there needs to be replaced, it's just that there's nothing impressive about Alltel. The outside of it facing North (the side that everyone sees driving past on the interstate) is an eyesore. Why can't they make it look like the side facing the river with glass and good lighting.

The inside is very basic. Nearly everyone that I've talked to from out of state who visits Alltel is very unimpressed. There aren't any restaurants, shops, or any other type of entertainment. Anymore, arenas are not just places to go watch an event. They're places to be entertained in many different ways. Alltel doesn't provide that.

Alltel costs all of $84 million to build, which of course isn't chump change if it were in my pocket, but it's chump change in the scheme of arenas. For example, American Airlines Center ran $480 million. See a difference? You certainly will see a difference attending events at either place.
We (Pulaski County) were lucky to even manage $84 million for an arena, which was $20 million more than they were telling the voters it would cost when the issue was at the polls. We're Little Rock. Our building is like Shreveport-Bossier City's. It's not FedEx Forum, it's not American Airlines Arena, and we're not Memphis and sure not Dallas and the DFW Metroplex.
If you're willing to pony up about $50 million or more to take Alltel Arena up a notch, I'm sure they would accept it.

[go hogues]

2 Words

Diamond Bowl

If Shreveport can host a bowl game why can't Little Rock?  War Memorial is a dump, but so is Independence Stadium and the Liberty Bowl.  The local fans would support it.  Get a Big 12-SEC game and the fan support would be amazing.

Shreveport, as much as I hate to say it, edges out over us a bit because the casinos there are also a draw for fans before the big game.  Little Rock doesnt really have any other entertainment like that therefore nobody would want to go there because there is nothing else to do.  I have always said that some place like Busch Gardens or someone like that should build a small theme park in Little Rock.

[dude]

2 Words

Diamond Bowl

If Shreveport can host a bowl game why can't Little Rock?  War Memorial is a dump, but so is Independence Stadium and the Liberty Bowl.  The local fans would support it.  Get a Big 12-SEC game and the fan support would be amazing.

War Memorial doesn't have to be a dump. That's a whole other issue though.

I love War Memorial. It's where I saw my first Hog game and I hope we always have some games there.  It has alot of sentimental value to it.   Putting a bowl game there could get some upgrades for the facility

Stephens offered to increase seating by 20,000 and imrprove War Memorial several years ago.
J. Frank told him then not to worry about games being pulled from Little Rock.
Frank screwed him! (and us)

[Porquemada]

Didn't a group of investors look at the site in Bryant where the Reynolds plant was located for a possible NASCAR track? That is before it was snagged for an airport.

[Jim Harris]

Didn't a group of investors look at the site in Bryant where the Reynolds plant was located for a possible NASCAR track? That is before it was snagged for an airport.

As they're finding out in Kentucky, it's best to have a firm, long-term commitment from NASCAR before you build a track. Arkansas wasn't going to get that commitment. They're committed to Memphis and to Dallas area and that's as far as it's going to come to here, based on population density.

But, yes, a group did look in that area and east of Little Rock for a possible race track site until they realized their money would be wasted.

[Jim Harris]

2 Words

Diamond Bowl

If Shreveport can host a bowl game why can't Little Rock?  War Memorial is a dump, but so is Independence Stadium and the Liberty Bowl.  The local fans would support it.  Get a Big 12-SEC game and the fan support would be amazing.

Shreveport, as much as I hate to say it, edges out over us a bit because the casinos there are also a draw for fans before the big game.  Little Rock doesnt really have any other entertainment like that therefore nobody would want to go there because there is nothing else to do.  I have always said that some place like Busch Gardens or someone like that should build a small theme park in Little Rock.

oh, c'mon. You don't think people want to drive hundreds of miles to see the U.S.S. Razorback submarine parked over in North Little Rock?

[hogfan064]

Didn't a group of investors look at the site in Bryant where the Reynolds plant was located for a possible NASCAR track? That is before it was snagged for an airport.

As they're finding out in Kentucky, it's best to have a firm, long-term commitment from NASCAR before you build a track. Arkansas wasn't going to get that commitment. They're committed to Memphis and to Dallas area and that's as far as it's going to come to here, based on population density.

But, yes, a group did look in that area and east of Little Rock for a possible race track site until they realized their money would be wasted.

Nothing is solid with NASCAR.  Darlington, the most historic of race tracks lost a race.  Rockingham and North Wilkesboro both historic races no longer exist