Oracle Arena
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The Oracle Arena also known by its former name of The Arena in Oakland is an indoor arena in Oakland, California. It was originally constructed as the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena in 1966. Over the years though, the arena became increasingly outdated, lacking the luxuries of newer ones. Rather than building a new arena in Oakland – or, for that matter, in San Francisco or San Jose, as some wanted – the decision was made to proceed with a $121 million renovation that tore down much of the old arena, leaving the external walls, roof and foundation, along with a few other features, intact, and then building a new seating bowl within the older confines, similar to what was done to the KeyArena in Seattle. The renovation began in mid-1996 and was completed in time for the Golden State Warriors to return in the fall of 1997. (They played the intervening season at the San Jose Arena). The new arena seats 19,596 for basketball and 17,000 for ice hockey. It hosted WCW SuperBrawl 1999 and the 2000 NBA All-Star Game.
The arena has been home to the Golden State Warriors since 1966, excepting the one-year hiatus. The Cal Golden Bears have played a few games at the arena over the years, as well. The Coliseum also hosted the Bay Bombers (Roller Derby, 1966-1973) as well as the California Golden Seals (also known as the Oakland Seals and California Seals previously) of the NHL from 1967–1976. The Oakland Skates, a professional roller hockey team, also played here from 1993 to 1995.
The Arena in Oakland hosted the West Regional of the 2006 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. It has twice before played host as the West Regional site in 1990 and 1995.
The arena has also been used as a concert venue for bands like Pink Floyd (1977), Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band (1984) & (1999), Rage Against the Machine (1997), Tool (2002) & (2006), U2 (2001) & (2005) and The Rolling Stones (2006).
The Golden State Warriors attendance record was set on April 27th, 2007 when 20,629 fans watched the 8-seed Warriors rout the 1-seed Dallas Mavericks 109-91 in Game 3 of the team's first round series. The game was the first home playoff game in 13 seasons for the Warriors.
[edit] The Oracle
On October 20, 2006 the Golden State Warriors and the Oracle Corporation announced a 10-year agreement in which the Oakland Arena will be known as The Oracle. The Oracle will continue to be managed by Oakland-Alameda County Authority (JPA) and SMG. The JPA will be asked to approve the deal at its November 10 meeting. A formal press conference of the agreement was held on October 30.[1] That formal announcement refers to Oracle Arena. [2]
[edit] See also
- McAfee Coliseum (previously known as Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum and Network Associates Coliseum), the outdoor stadium immediately east of Oracle Arena and home of the Oakland Athletics and Oakland Raiders.
[edit] Picture Gallery
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