News & Information
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Verizon Center Turns Ten
Tenth anniversary highlights 24 million in attendance and $6.2 billon
in downtown redevelopment
What was once simply a dream for Abe and Irene Pollin, now Verizon
Center, a 20,000-seat sports and entertainment facility in downtown
Washington, D.C., is celebrating its 10th anniversary. While hosting
the greatest names in sports and entertainment, the arena has attracted
24 million patrons in attendance and a staggering $6.2 billion in
dramatic redevelopment to the downtown Washington, D.C. area.
“When Irene and I opened the doors to Verizon Center ten
years ago, our goals were to provide a world-class sports and entertainment
facility in the heart of the nation’s capital, and provide
a catalyst for the revitalization of downtown Washington, D.C. ,”
says Abe Pollin, Chairman of Washington Sports & Entertainment.
“On our tenth anniversary, we can look back and say that we
have accomplished both of those goals. Now not only is the building
filled with people attending events, but the entire area has become
a vibrant economic center. We’re proud of what we’ve
accomplished and we’re excited about continuing to bring the
best in sports and entertainment to this city for many years to
come.”
Ten years later Verizon Center continues as a shining example for
other cities looking to redevelop and revitalize downtown neighborhoods.
Recently, with the opening of the new Prudential Center arena in
Newark, New Jersey, SportsIllustrated.com referenced Verizon Center
as a building to emulate, and the Star Ledger declared that, because
of Verizon Center, “the neighborhood along 7th Street NW has
evolved from one of the most depressed areas in the nation’s
capital into a planner’s dream neighborhood of hotels, restaurants,
stores and people on the streets at all hours.”
“Verizon Center has been an incredible catalyst for dynamic,
urban revitalization in the District of Columbia,” said Adrian
M. Fenty, Mayor of Washington, D.C. “It has become the heartbeat
that has pumped life into downtown Washington and brought a renewed
sense of pride about everything our great city has to offer.”
Verizon Center has been a top ranked building worldwide since it
opened. Leading trade publications such as Billboard Magazine and
Venues Today have ranked Verizon Center among the Top 15 grossing
venues of comparable size worldwide. Pollstar has also ranked Verizon
Center consistently in the Top 25 worldwide according to ticket
sales for comparably sized venues.
Economic Benefit: Within a span of ten years, Verizon Center has
benefited the District of Columbia economically in several capacities.
Verizon Center has generated $76 million in taxes for Washington,
D.C.
Verizon Center has attracted over $6.2 billion in new development
including hotels, restaurants, businesses, condominiums, apartments
and retail according to the Downtown Business Improvement District
(Source: Downtown BID).
Verizon Center has increased the use of the Metro rail system
by 14.4 million riders with an estimated 60% of patrons using the
rail system for attending events at the arena.
Charitable Contributions: The Pollins, owners of Verizon Center,
have made endless charitable contributions over the past ten years
to over 450 organizations and nonprofit groups, and 70 elementary
schools in the DC metropolitan area.
Over $10 million in tickets have been donated to local community
groups, charities and organizations, including the USO of Metropolitan
Washington where the Wizards salute recovering soldiers from Walter
Reed Medical Center and Naval Bethesda Hospital by providing tickets
to every home game.
A total contribution of $215,000 was made to 82 schools selected
in the DC metropolitan area as part of the Gilbert Arenas Scores
for Schools program during the 2006-2007 season. A donation of $100
for every point Gilbert Arenas scored was donated to a different
school for each home game by Arenas, and Abe and Irene Pollin matched
Arenas’ donation for schools for Wizards road games. The program
has now been continued for a second consecutive season, 2007-2008.
23 basketball courts have been resurfaced in the surrounding
neighborhoods.
More than 5,000 food baskets have been distributed during
the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Drive.
Donations and collections have been made on an annual basis
to benefit the Salvation Army, Suited for Change, Bread for the
City canned food drives and coat drives, the Perry Center and Heaven’s
Grocery Store.
Building Highlights:
Series of Firsts
Verizon Center had its grand opening on December 2, 1997, as the
Washington Wizards defeated the Seattle Super Sonics 95-78.
Georgetown played their first home game on December 3, 1997, against
Villanova and lost 69-73.
The Washington Capitals played their first game on December 5, 1997,
when they played the Florida Panthers and won in overtime 3-2.
Barry Manilow performed the first concert at Verizon Center on December
10, 1997.
The Washington Mystics played the first WNBA game at Verizon Center
on June 19, 1998 as they defeated the Utah Starzz 85-76.
Multiple Sell Outs
Since opening in December of 1997, Verizon Center has had one artist
alone sell out six shows over the past ten years: Bruce Springsteen.
Two artists have performed a total of 10 sold out concerts: Dixie
Chicks (5) and Billy Joel (5).
Four artists have sold out a total of four concerts throughout the
years: Madonna, Janet Jackson, U2 and Bon Jovi.
Additional artists to have multiple sell outs to date include Prince
(3), Billy Joel
Elton John (3), Rolling Stones (3), the Backstreet Boys (3), Paul
McCartney (3), Eric Clapton (3), Simon & Garfunkel (2), Dave
Mathews Band (2), Britney Spears (2), Neil Diamond (2), Tim McGraw
and Faith Hill (2), *NSYNC (2) and
Beyonce (2).
Other events with multiple sellouts on the books include American
Idols Live (5), Kings of Comedy (4), and the Trans Siberian Orchestra
(3).
Record Grossing Events
In 2005, WWE presents SummerSlam took place at Verizon Center for
the first time and recorded the highest grossing WWE event in the
history of the building.
U2, Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney performed within two weeks of
each other in 2005 and recorded the highest grossing month in the
history of the building: $9.3 million.
The Spanish Riding School of Vienna and the Lipizzaner Stallions recorded
the highest grossing equine event in the history of the building
at $1.2 million as they performed for the first time in the U.S.
in 15 years and played to only six cities during their 2005 tour.
Barbra Streisand broke the record for the highest grossing individual
event or performance of all time with her first performance at Verizon
Center in 2006.
In 2007, the Harlem Globetrotters recorded their highest grossing
game in the history of the building.
Longest Tenured Events
The longest tenured events for the building are the Washington
International Horse Show and the Harlem Globetrotters. Both events
actually date back to the days of the Capital Centre arena which
was opened in Landover, Maryland in 1973 and demolished in 2002.
Historic Events
On May 7, 2000, the Three Tenors: Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo
and Jose Carreras performed one of only four U.S. concerts at Verizon
Center.
In December of 2003, Verizon Center celebrated its six year anniversary
and Chairman and Owner Abe Pollin’s 80th birthday. A surprise
party was held in the arena with performances by Tony Bennett and
Jackie Mason in front of over 800 guests and employees.
On July 26, 2003, the Department of Defense held a 50th Anniversary
commemoration event to honor Korean War Veterans with Ed McMahon
as emcee.
On May 28 & 29, 2004, Verizon Center hosted over 46,000 veterans
and guests during a special WWII Memorial Event held as part of
the dedication ceremonies for the official unveiling of the brand
new WWII Memorial.
On January 18, 2005, President G.W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush
hosted a concert for all members of the military during his second
inauguration. The event, Salute to Those Who Serve, included performances
by Gloria Estefan and Montgomery Gentry, as well as appearances
by Darrell Hammond, and Rick Schroeder. Kelsey Grammar emceed the
event that was attended by Vice President Cheney and Lynne Cheney,
then Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and former President
George H. W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush.
On May 25, 2005, Sheila Johnson became the first African-American
woman to own a professional sports team by purchasing the WNBA’s
Washington Mystics from owners Abe and Irene Pollin.
On June 11, 2005, Mike Tyson fought his last professional boxing
match against Kevin McBride, where he lost in six rounds.
On November 13, 2005, the Dalai Lama gave a public talk titled “Global
Peace Through Compassion”.
NHL Record/Team Firsts/Team Records Broken
On January 9, 1998, the Capitals’ Dale Hunter, Adam Oates
and Phil Housley marked the first time in NHL history for three
teammates to achieve their 1,000th point within the same season.
The Washington Capitals advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals for the
first time in franchise history in 1998.
The Washington Mystics advanced to the WNBA Eastern Conference finals
for the first time in franchise history in 2002.
In 2005, the Washington Wizards advanced to the NBA playoffs for
the first time since 1997 by defeating the Chicago Bulls (4-2) in
the first round and advancing to the second round against the Miami
Heat.
The Georgetown Hoyas men’s basketball team defeated UNC to
advance to the NCAA Division I Men’s Final Four for the first
time since 1985 in March of 2007.
In 2007, the Washington Wizards advanced to the NBA playoffs for
the third consecutive season and Head Coach Eddie Jordan was selected
as coach for the 2007 Eastern Conference NBA All-Star Team for the
first time.
World-Class Tournaments: Verizon Center has played host
to many world-class tournaments and events over the past ten years
including:
the First and Second Rounds of the NCAA Tournament in 1998 and
2002, with a third scheduled for 2008
the NBA Draft in 1999
the 50th NBA All-Star Game and weekend in 2001
the WNBA All-Star game in 2002 and 2007
the World Figure Skating Championships in 2003
the 2005 ACC Tournament
the 2006 East Regional Round of the NCAA Tournament
In 2009, Verizon Center will host the NCAA Hockey Championships
(Frozen Four).
Individual Team Player Records/Awards
Washington Mystics' Chamique Holdsclaw was named WNBA Rookie
of the Year in 1999.
Washington Capitals goalie Olaf Kolzig became the second player
in franchise history to be awarded the Vezina Trophy in 2000 for
being the NHL's Best Goaltender.
Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison of the Washington Wizards were
named to the 2005 NBA All-Star team, marking the first time since
1987 for two Wizards players to receive that honor in the same season.
Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals won the Calder Memorial
Trophy for NHL Rookie of the Year and was named to the NHL All-Star
Team in 2006.
New Name and a New Milestone
On March 5, 2006, the arena was renamed Verizon Center after being
known by the moniker MCI Center since the doors first opened in
1997. On December 2, 2007, Verizon Center will celebrate its 10th
anniversary.
The Arena: Measuring the size of an entire city block, the
20,000-seat capacity Verizon Center has undergone a mini-makeover
for its tenth anniversary including a new scoreboard, a new concourse
color scheme and new directional signage. The brand new high-definition
scoreboard, the first of its kind for an arena in the country,
features Diamond Vision LED Fascia, corner stat displays and video
boards driven by ANC Sports’ patent pending VisionSOFT operating
system. Sitting at 14 feet 5 inches high x 25 feet 2 inches wide,
the new scoreboard exhibits over 68 billion colors. Over 1,000
feet of linear LED boards were also added to the upper bowl of
the arena, as well as 400 feet of LED boards surrounding the lower
bowl of the arena with full motion signage. The new concourse
color scheme and directional signage is incorporated throughout
the main concourses of the arena.
Additional amenities for Verizon Center include a 110 executive
and luxury suites, a private Acela Club restaurant overlooking the
event floor, a private VIP lounge -Johnnie Walker Coaches Club,
an eighty seat Coca-Cola Theatre, Dewar’s 12 Clubhouse, mini-restaurants
and concession stands offering a variety of food choices, and the
Fan Gear sporting goods team store. Other tenants within the arena
include VIDA Fitness/Bang Salon, The Green Turtle sports bar &
grille restaurant, McDonald’s, Chipotle and Thrifty Car Rental.
Future amenities to be added this season include the members-only
executive club – Collaborations by SiloSmashers and Dunkin
Donuts. The building is managed by Washington Sports & Entertainment,
LP and is home to the NBA’s Washington Wizards, the WNBA’s
Washington Mystics, the NHL’s Washington Capitals and the
NCAA’s Georgetown Hoyas Men’s Basketball team.
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