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JOE LOUIS ARENA DETROIT RED WINGS
This venue is located along the river in downtown Detroit. It is gray, bland, and non-descript and the only
way you get to the building is by navigating along pedestrian walkways across expressways. While much
of the rest of downtown Detroit is undergoing a terrific transformation, this neighborhood remains really
shabby. To get into the building, you have to walk through a metal detector. What a horrible way to greet
your patrons! As we walked around the building we could hear those things going off all the time. Guests
emptying pockets and women spilling purse contents for inspection. Uggghhh! The only thing saving this
place is the cool old Red Wings memorabilia all over the halls. Otherwise, this place reminds you of the
bad old Detroit. This ranks as one of the worst NHL venues we have been to.
VETERANS STADIUM PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
"The Vet" has the dubious distinction of being one horrible place for both baseball and football. Let's start
with the Phillies - when 17,000 people show up in a 62,000 seat stadium, all you see is an ocean of blue
seats. It is big, hollow, and lacks any charm whatsoever. The corridors are shabby, musty, and done in
hideous colors. For football games they add portable toilets and place them smack in the middle of the
concourse. Catch that as you walk away from the concession stand with your hot dogs! New football and
baseball venues in Philly are now in place and the Vet has been imploded.
FOXBORO STADIUM NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (MLS)
Admittedly we did not see this venue for a Patriots game. We were at Fenway and the MLS New England
Revolution were playing that night so we thought we'd check the place out. Boy, what a crummy stadium!
Traffic pattern is one road in and out. The stadium is as basic as you could get in the NFL... bleacher style
seating on either side, spilling out into one concourse which was little more than blacktop and cheesy
chain link fencing. Nothing in terms of amenities for fans, but at least they do have indoor plumbing!
Gratefully, this venue has seen its final event and has been demolished.
STAPLES CENTER LOS ANGELES LAKERS
We had just walked through the door when a security guard demanded that we turn over our camera. He
then led us through the concourse (holding Andrew by the arm) to "guest relations", where we were forced
to surrender our equipment. We explained our project to them, but it was to no avail. The next night we
didn't even bother bringing the camera for the Kings game. This is the only venue where we do not have a
picture of us standing in the building. Rudeness seems to be the norm here. It was a beautiful arena but
the way we were treated really ruined it for us..
MCI CENTER WASHINGTON WIZARDS
The people who work for the Wizards must be morons. Our ticket said 9 PM for a start time but when we
walked in at 8 PM we were hearing the national anthem. They made no announcement of the time change
and only 500 people were in the building when the game started. We then tried to buy Caps tickets for the
next day and take advantage of a promotion, yet nobody in the box office had a clue about the offer. Want to
take a picture from the lower level seats? Fuhgedaboutit! The sphincter police was in full force.
Ushers were tossing people and barring entry to the lowers after the game, and even though it was New
Year's Eve, we decided it wasn't worth our aggravation to ring in the New Year with these imbeciles.
CONTINENTAL AIRLINES ARENA NEW JERSEY NETS
The whole story here centers on our attempt to take our usual center court picture in the 100 level. The
ushers would not let us pass, even though it was 45 minutes to tipoff. We then went to guest services at
Gate A for some assistance. They should rename this booth "guest indifference". Four well-attired ladies
firmly told us they were not authorized to let us down there. We showed them our book, our press
identification, and pleaded for some help, but they didn't give a damn.
They sarcastically told us to "write a letter". We did get down there after the game and got our shots, but
only after sneaking passed an usher and cutting across several sections to get to mid court. As we were
finishing up, security was converging on us, pointing at us and talking into walkie-talkies. We got out of
there in a hurry.
All we can say is do not waste your money on a ticket to the Nets. These
people are horrible and don't deserve your patronage.
THE CITY OF CLEVELAND
Cleveland's finest towed Andrew's car while we attended a Browns game. The car was parked in a legal
spot. No apologies from the Cleveland P.D. We stood on a street corner where our car should have been,
and watched one of Cleveland's Finest administer a "Rodney King" style beating to some poor slob. After
we built up the courage to ask this fine officer for assistance, he sooooooo politely directed us two blocks
down to headquarters. There we were hit with a $133 fine payable on the spot and then a long, long walk to
retrieve our car. We have asked the city for a refund. We are still waiting.
We will visit Cleveland again and again, but we have to say our stomachs will be in a knot each time,
wondering if we will get out of here in one piece!
MILE HIGH STADIUM COLORADO RAPIDS (MLS)
What is it about ushers at sporting events who think they are such big cheeses that they go out of their way
to make total jerks of themselves? This all in the name of protecting that little patch of turf which is called
their section, and for which they receive their $5 an hour.
Let us tell you about "Dustin"... he is an usher for the Colorado Rapids of the MLS and you can find him
checking tickets at the top of the staircase in sec 105. Mind you, we are not big soccer fans, but we were
already here in Denver, the Rapids were in town, and this would be our only chance to see and take
photographs of the old Mile High Stadium, which is the hallowed grounds of the Denver Broncos and will
be demolished next year.
There were about 4000 people in attendance in a stadium seating 77,000. We watched the first half, and at
halftime meandered over about two sections to photograph the field from an ideal center location. As we
crossed over aisles of seats, "Dustin" caught up with us, and told us we were not allowed to cross over,
and would have to walk up to the concourse and re-enter from the aisle there. Mind you this would mean
walking up about 30 rows, down the concourse and then back down 30 rows. OK.... after walking up about
8 rows, we thought this was rather silly, so we crossed over one more bank of (empty) seats and went over
one more aisle to dead center. "Dustin" chased us down again, huffing and puffing and demanding we
leave immediately. At this point we were at center field, and we told him we would take two photos and then
leave. Mind you - this was halftime, the stadium was 95% empty, we were in no one's way. "Dustin"
crossed his arms, blocked our view and told us he would not permit us to take a picture .
We proceeded to guest services, showed our I.D. and told them about our website... the manager there
was extremely apologetic, asked us to fill a complaint form, and then issued us field press credentials and
invited us to take as many photographs as we wanted.
Thank you to the COLORADO RAPIDS for doing right by us! We had a good time at your game, and we offer
the Rapids this parting bit of advice - reassign "Dustin" to dishwashing duties or mopping floors or
something, and keep him away from your ticket buying public. People like that can turn your customers into
ex-customers in a hurry!
Oh, what we went through to take THIS picture!!! Out of the corners of our eyes we can see Nets security
closing in on us. "Hurry UP!!!", Andrew is pleading. A sarcastic thank you New Jersey Nets for the disgusting
treatment. When we are done with this journey you will stand atop of our Hall of Shame. Good job guys!!!
This venue is located along the river in downtown Detroit. It is gray, bland, and non-descript and the only
way you get to the building is by navigating along pedestrian walkways across expressways. While much
of the rest of downtown Detroit is undergoing a terrific transformation, this neighborhood remains really
shabby. To get into the building, you have to walk through a metal detector. What a horrible way to greet
your patrons! As we walked around the building we could hear those things going off all the time. Guests
emptying pockets and women spilling purse contents for inspection. Uggghhh! The only thing saving this
place is the cool old Red Wings memorabilia all over the halls. Otherwise, this place reminds you of the
bad old Detroit. This ranks as one of the worst NHL venues we have been to.
VETERANS STADIUM PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
"The Vet" has the dubious distinction of being one horrible place for both baseball and football. Let's start
with the Phillies - when 17,000 people show up in a 62,000 seat stadium, all you see is an ocean of blue
seats. It is big, hollow, and lacks any charm whatsoever. The corridors are shabby, musty, and done in
hideous colors. For football games they add portable toilets and place them smack in the middle of the
concourse. Catch that as you walk away from the concession stand with your hot dogs! New football and
baseball venues in Philly are now in place and the Vet has been imploded.
FOXBORO STADIUM NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (MLS)
Admittedly we did not see this venue for a Patriots game. We were at Fenway and the MLS New England
Revolution were playing that night so we thought we'd check the place out. Boy, what a crummy stadium!
Traffic pattern is one road in and out. The stadium is as basic as you could get in the NFL... bleacher style
seating on either side, spilling out into one concourse which was little more than blacktop and cheesy
chain link fencing. Nothing in terms of amenities for fans, but at least they do have indoor plumbing!
Gratefully, this venue has seen its final event and has been demolished.
STAPLES CENTER LOS ANGELES LAKERS
We had just walked through the door when a security guard demanded that we turn over our camera. He
then led us through the concourse (holding Andrew by the arm) to "guest relations", where we were forced
to surrender our equipment. We explained our project to them, but it was to no avail. The next night we
didn't even bother bringing the camera for the Kings game. This is the only venue where we do not have a
picture of us standing in the building. Rudeness seems to be the norm here. It was a beautiful arena but
the way we were treated really ruined it for us..
MCI CENTER WASHINGTON WIZARDS
The people who work for the Wizards must be morons. Our ticket said 9 PM for a start time but when we
walked in at 8 PM we were hearing the national anthem. They made no announcement of the time change
and only 500 people were in the building when the game started. We then tried to buy Caps tickets for the
next day and take advantage of a promotion, yet nobody in the box office had a clue about the offer. Want to
take a picture from the lower level seats? Fuhgedaboutit! The sphincter police was in full force.
Ushers were tossing people and barring entry to the lowers after the game, and even though it was New
Year's Eve, we decided it wasn't worth our aggravation to ring in the New Year with these imbeciles.
CONTINENTAL AIRLINES ARENA NEW JERSEY NETS
The whole story here centers on our attempt to take our usual center court picture in the 100 level. The
ushers would not let us pass, even though it was 45 minutes to tipoff. We then went to guest services at
Gate A for some assistance. They should rename this booth "guest indifference". Four well-attired ladies
firmly told us they were not authorized to let us down there. We showed them our book, our press
identification, and pleaded for some help, but they didn't give a damn.
They sarcastically told us to "write a letter". We did get down there after the game and got our shots, but
only after sneaking passed an usher and cutting across several sections to get to mid court. As we were
finishing up, security was converging on us, pointing at us and talking into walkie-talkies. We got out of
there in a hurry.
All we can say is do not waste your money on a ticket to the Nets. These
people are horrible and don't deserve your patronage.
THE CITY OF CLEVELAND
Cleveland's finest towed Andrew's car while we attended a Browns game. The car was parked in a legal
spot. No apologies from the Cleveland P.D. We stood on a street corner where our car should have been,
and watched one of Cleveland's Finest administer a "Rodney King" style beating to some poor slob. After
we built up the courage to ask this fine officer for assistance, he sooooooo politely directed us two blocks
down to headquarters. There we were hit with a $133 fine payable on the spot and then a long, long walk to
retrieve our car. We have asked the city for a refund. We are still waiting.
We will visit Cleveland again and again, but we have to say our stomachs will be in a knot each time,
wondering if we will get out of here in one piece!
MILE HIGH STADIUM COLORADO RAPIDS (MLS)
What is it about ushers at sporting events who think they are such big cheeses that they go out of their way
to make total jerks of themselves? This all in the name of protecting that little patch of turf which is called
their section, and for which they receive their $5 an hour.
Let us tell you about "Dustin"... he is an usher for the Colorado Rapids of the MLS and you can find him
checking tickets at the top of the staircase in sec 105. Mind you, we are not big soccer fans, but we were
already here in Denver, the Rapids were in town, and this would be our only chance to see and take
photographs of the old Mile High Stadium, which is the hallowed grounds of the Denver Broncos and will
be demolished next year.
There were about 4000 people in attendance in a stadium seating 77,000. We watched the first half, and at
halftime meandered over about two sections to photograph the field from an ideal center location. As we
crossed over aisles of seats, "Dustin" caught up with us, and told us we were not allowed to cross over,
and would have to walk up to the concourse and re-enter from the aisle there. Mind you this would mean
walking up about 30 rows, down the concourse and then back down 30 rows. OK.... after walking up about
8 rows, we thought this was rather silly, so we crossed over one more bank of (empty) seats and went over
one more aisle to dead center. "Dustin" chased us down again, huffing and puffing and demanding we
leave immediately. At this point we were at center field, and we told him we would take two photos and then
leave. Mind you - this was halftime, the stadium was 95% empty, we were in no one's way. "Dustin"
crossed his arms, blocked our view and told us he would not permit us to take a picture .
We proceeded to guest services, showed our I.D. and told them about our website... the manager there
was extremely apologetic, asked us to fill a complaint form, and then issued us field press credentials and
invited us to take as many photographs as we wanted.
Thank you to the COLORADO RAPIDS for doing right by us! We had a good time at your game, and we offer
the Rapids this parting bit of advice - reassign "Dustin" to dishwashing duties or mopping floors or
something, and keep him away from your ticket buying public. People like that can turn your customers into
ex-customers in a hurry!
Oh, what we went through to take THIS picture!!! Out of the corners of our eyes we can see Nets security
closing in on us. "Hurry UP!!!", Andrew is pleading. A sarcastic thank you New Jersey Nets for the disgusting
treatment. When we are done with this journey you will stand atop of our Hall of Shame. Good job guys!!!
| The Bad and the Ugly |
| Places and experiences we would rather forget! |
Signs like these were nowhere to be found
when we parked our car on the streets of
downtown Cleveland prior to the Browns
game. On our walk to the stadium on our
2004 return visit, these type of warning signs
were in abundance.
when we parked our car on the streets of
downtown Cleveland prior to the Browns
game. On our walk to the stadium on our
2004 return visit, these type of warning signs
were in abundance.