Football domes? haha. When they build arenas its not just for football. They are built to accommodate many things. Concerts, football, basketball, trade shows, etc. They dont build those places just for football. My point is if it is not good for basketball games why would the NCAA put one of the biggest stages of their sports in the Well?
Regardless of what a venue was built for, doesn’t mean its a good viewing experience for everything being played there. Unless you are sitting between the baselines in the lower level, WFA sucks for watching basketball. Don’t get me started on acoustics of the building either. The same can be said for pretty much any multi-purpose arena. The NCAA tourney doesn’t come to DM because of WFA, they come because of DM. Sight lines at venues are near the bottom of their priority list, otherwise they would never be played on football fields.
I’ve been to the United Center many times and my complaints are the same there. Except the UC has better acoustics. Ever sit in the 3rd deck or behind the baskets there? Bring binoculars.
The arc of the dead space is up higher at Sprint and they bring in bleachers for that arc area while still being able to host a small contingent of band members. At the Well its just a gigantic area.
I challenge you to go look at attendance numbers from last year's tourny for first and second round and tell me that WF being one of the smallest matters. I worked the tourny last year and was right down with the teams and coaches. I heard MULTIPLE TIMES from coaches how des moines was one of the tournament locations and best experiences they have had. They raved about the ease of traffic and location and also the ease of the arena and getting to and from the floor from the locker rooms and training rooms. I will argue this all day because ive seen it and heard it from coaches and teams in person.
