The Denver Nuggets have played in Ball Arena since it opened in downtown Denver in 1999, and throughout that time, they've practiced in the same facilities built within the building. Today, it was announced that Ball Arena would be getting a massive $135 million upgrade that will be phased in over the next two to three years. Unfortunately, it doesn't include an upgrade to the practice facility. Yet again, Kroenke Sports Entertainment, the Nuggets' owners, have missed the mark on an important part of the NBA experience for their players.
First off, the new renovations were definitely needed. It totally modernizes the arena, and the new renderings of the expansion to the east atrium look great. There's going to be a large video screen over the grassy areas on the side of the building when you walk in. But this upgrade is purely a cosmetic facelift that enhances the fan experience. It's another long-term revenue generator for the ownership group, once again passing over the players who actually help generate the revenue.
Apparently, the fact that the Nuggets and Avalanche are a couple of the only teams in their respective sports without a modernized practice facility keeps getting lost in the shuffle.
The Nuggets could eventually push away potential signees
Don't get me wrong, there probably aren't many, if any, players whose final decision on signing with the Nuggets comes down to the practice facility. But it could happen one day.
At the end of last season, The Athletic (subscription required) ran a few polls of what players value the most in a franchise when it comes to "player comforts." One aspect of player comforts was the need for a "high-end" practice facility.
The Nuggets do not have one. They still practice in the same dingy one-court gym that they've been using since 1999. The auxiliary gym. The gym that's more suited for the JV Nuggets if the Nuggets had a Varsity team that was practicing on the main court of Ball Arena.
And it's not lost on the players. Former Nugget Michael Porter Jr. didn't say it directly after he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets. But he clowned the Nuggets when he arrived in Brooklyn by calling out the fact that the Nuggets only have one court to practice on. "I'm just glad y'all got two courts. Because over there we had the one court."
KSE has been spending the bucks on practice facilities for their other franchises, like the Los Angeles Rams and the Colorado Rapids. But for some reason, KSE just won't upgrade or build an entirely new practice facility for the Nuggets. Or the Avalanche. One day, that could backfire.
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