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Improvements coming to PPG Paints Arena via FSG |
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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
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, and possibly development of the former Civic Arena site across the street. If that belief is proven true, the traditional revenue limitations of a market Pittsburgh’s size should continue to not be an obstacle for the Penguins’ hockey operations.
One of the best improvements I saw pertains to the on-ice product. It appears the Penguins will be going full steam ahead in modern analytics which is something both the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool F.C. have already done.
Specific details are a tightly guarded secret. However, The Athletic has learned that investing in top-tier technology to take advantage of next-generation NHL statistics to benefit those in the hockey operations and in-arena entertainment departments is a priority as identified by FSG’s ongoing overall evaluation of the Penguins
I think this is a must and it is nice to see the Penguins won’t be left behind as other teams invest in these kinds of technologies. I think it is the most interesting part of all the new information as it pertains to the on-ice product. Given the track record of the other teams this ownership group is running I like the odds of them using the information correctly.
This is all nice, but sign Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. And maybe get Mario a better statue.
Thanks for reading!
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • 
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