Sports Venues :: EnergySolutions Arena

There is a reason why opposing NBA teams hate playing in Utah. This arena has the reputation for being the loudest in the NBA! We got the 411 on it!

History

When the New Orleans Jazz relocated to Salt Lake City in 1979, they played their home games at the Salt Palace. By the time the '90s came around, the Salt Palace was too old and small by NBA arena standards. In 1991, a brand new, state-of-the art arena was built in downtown Salt Lake City. It was originally named the Delta Center after the airline. In November 2006, a local nuclear waste disposal company bought the naming rights of the Delta Center and was renamed EnergySolutions Arena.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere in the EnergySolutions Arena is truly one-of-a-kind. Utah Jazz fans are one of the most passionate fans in all of professional sports. Most opposing players and coaches say that Utah is the toughest place to play because of how loud and involved the fans are. Jazz fans are also very loyal. They rank amongst the top of the league in attendance year in and year out. During the playoff's, fans wear all white or all baby blue and wave around towels or balloons each game. There is usually an elaborate pre-game introduction ceremony with fireworks, lasers and their mascot, The Bear, comes out on a motorcycle.

Memorable Events

EnergySolutions Arena played host to the 1993 NBA All Star Game. The arena also hosted the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998. Both times, the Jazz lost to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. In fact, Jordan's game winning shot in Game 6 of the '98 Playoffs proved to be his last shot ever as a member of the Bulls. Aside from basketball EnergySolutions Arena hosted the figure skating events in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Musical superstars U2, Hannah Montana and Celine Dion have all performed there as well. In 1999, a rare tornado hit EnergySolutions Arena knocking out a lot of the windows on the arena's exterior. Despite the heavy damage, nobody was killed or seriously injured. The repair cost was over $3.7 million.

Fun Facts

EnergySolutions Arena seats 19,911 fans for basketball.

EnergySolutions Arena cost $93 million to build.

EnergySolutions Arena has 56 luxury suites.

EnergySolutions Arena has statues of basketball greats Karl Malone and John Stockton in front of the arena. Those two former Jazz stars are legendary in the community.

EnergySolutions Arena is the home for Utah Blaze of the Arena Football League.

EnergySolutions Arena is the former home of the Utah Starzz of the WNBA and the Utah Grizzlies - a minor league hockey team.

Related Stories:

Sports Venues :: American Airlines Center

Sports Venues :: Staples Center

Sports Venues :: Madison Square Garden

More Sports Facts and Trivia!

Read more: Sports Almanac