Bulls practice facility plan needs more for fans
The Chicago Bulls, according to several reports, are showcasing their proposal for an entertainment complex to be built near the team’s proposed practice facility, which would be built on Madison Avenue parking lot next to the United Center.
Bulls president Michael Reinsdorf wants to develop a $95 million entertainment complex near the $25 million practice facility and is looking to extend a tax break from the city that is due to expire in 2016. That tax break has saved the Bulls and the Blackhawks millions due to lower assessments on their United Center property.
So the propsal now goes from a new practice facility to include a massive entertainment complex with tax breaks.
Hey, the Reinsdorf and the Wirtz families have done a great job with that area and this can only enhance it even more. My question, and probably the same one that Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel probably has, is what kind of expense will to mean to the city and its taxpayers?
When asked if the public would be allowed to attend any practices, Reinsdorf said no — he didn’t want to give a leg up to the competition.
Really? I think he might want to take that quick response back.
I doubt the NBA can keep too many secrets with the surplus of media coverage today. His “no” was ill-advised. Instead, he should have said he would “wait and see” or, at the very least, consider access to one practice a month.
Anything but a resounding “no.”
The public is needed for a lot of things — opinions, votes or business and tax dollars — so how about throwing the public a bone?
Stay tuned.
The Heat’s one flawThe Miami Heat finished last in the NBA regular-season rankings in rebounding. That is probably the only weakness an opposing team could exploit, except the big three of Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James shoot 50 percent or better from the field, which explains most of the rebounding deficiencies. They are a deep team and with LeBron, and I think Indiana is the only team in the East capable of winning two games against the Heat, barring injury. I don#146;t see anyone beating them in a series, so the chase for rings begins in earnest. LeBron, with two, will have as good a shot at winning six ala Michael Jordan, as Tiger Woods has at catching Jack Nicklaus for majors wins. The outcome looks predictable for the Heat, but who knows? Anything can happen.Hawks deserve kudos:Congrats to the Blackhawks for winning the Presidents#146; Trophy. Too bad it wasn#146;t a full season. With a full regular season and a Stanley Cup victory, they would be considered in the team photo as the greatest NHL team ever!Program Note:Watch me on #147;Mancow#148; on WPWR CHANNEL 50 CHANNEL 50 CHANNEL 50 CHANNEL 50 Ch. 50 at 6 a.m. Friday, Monday and Wednesday.Ÿ Mike North#146;s column appears each Tuesday and Friday in the Daily Herald, and his video commentary can be found Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at dailyherald.com. For more, visit northtonorth.com.