more info - facts from the experts themselves
More numbers and info to boost my claim that the Maloofs may not be losing money like they claim
From concerts to the circus, Arco stays busy so the Kings can keep.... Paying the Bills
Arena officials vigorously court other events
The Sacramento Bee
April 16, 2002
Author: Gilbert Chan
Bee Staff Writer
The building has 30 luxury suites typically leased for three, six or 10 years for up to $200,000 annually. The average yearly rental is about $150,000.
5 million dollars annually!
To rent Arco, Maloof Sports charges $10,000 or 15 percent of gross ticket sales, whichever is greater, plus it takes all the revenues from parking, concessions and advertising in the arena.
In 2001, the arena had 171 events catering to a spectrum of entertainment tastes.
Another 2 million dollars!
Also to those who feel that it Arco has to be replaced.
Even with Arco's age and limitations, the Maloofs maintain publicly that they are happy with the arena. Even as the city studies building a $300 million arena in the downtown railyards to spur development, the Maloofs and Thomas say they are focused on trying to make the best of Arco.
"If they don't want it, we're OK here," Joe Maloof said of city officials studying whether to help the Kings pay for a new arena. "We do well here. We're always going to try to improve what we have here at Arco."
Thomas describes Arco's environment as "one of a kind," and says fans haven't complained about the arena's limitations.
"There's some element to human nature that sometimes says the grass is always greener elsewhere," Thomas said. "But the grass is very green right here at Arco. It (a new arena) is not even on our radar screen."
For the naysayers who say thats Arco loses entertainment due to its problems.
Big-name entertainers prefer to perform at the amphitheater near Marysville rather than Arco because they usually receive bigger fees, said Gary Bongiovanni, editor and chief of Pollstar magazine, a Fresno-based concert trade publication.
The amphitheater is owned by Clear Channel Entertainment, which handles more than two-thirds of the major concert business in the United States.
"Clearly it's more profitable for them (Clear Channel) to play dates in the amphitheater because it's their facility," Bongiovanni said. "They're going to try to steer as many shows as possible into their network of amphitheaters."