On Friday, the Denver Broncos announced that they had completed purchase of Burnham Yard, the future site of Denver’s newest NFL stadium. While Broncos Country has been distracted by the specter of stadium-future, there hasn’t been much discussion about what the fans want out of the new football venue. Now is the time to start that discussion so it retains the culture and vibe of Mile High, no matter where it goes.
First off, what will the new stadium be called? Will there be a Mile High reference in the title? There has been a long line of disposable corporate names since the wrecking ball hit old Mile High, Invesco, Sports Authority, and the current one that also seems to really love the Kansas City Chiefs.
There will almost certainly be a screening process and I would like to suggest that fans demand a sponsor with an exclusive interest in only the Broncos. It’s an embarrassment to the franchise and the city to have our stadium sponsor drooling over the accomplishments of our arch rival. Ownership will likely keep Mile High somewhere in the name given their open-armed embrace for all things altitude since their arrival. Plus, it’ll sell some merch.
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We also know that ownership wants a dome so that it can host other events in the offseason. What about the playing surface? With a dome, keeping natural grass becomes a costly endeavor. Will Denver get the ground-up trash bag-looking turf like they have in Atlanta? There are some incredibly awful looking turf fields around the league; where will Denver’s new surface fall? Open air and natural grass (even when it was mixed with a synthetic blend in the early days of the new stadium) have been hallmarks of Broncos football since their inception. How will ownership thread the needle of what fans expect with what they want so they can add new billions to their old billions?
Sadly, the writing is on the wall for snow games at Mile High. While the most recent one was a total surprise to coach Sean Payton, snow games have traditionally been a hallmark of Broncos football. Those days are soon to be over. Does making the stadium an attractive destination for a never-ending slew of touring country music acts outweigh the tradition of hard-nosed Broncos football in the snow? I certainly don’t think so.
Folks, a new stadium is happening in Denver and the time is now to let your voice be heard about what Broncos Country wants out of their new football destination. Make no mistake, the new stadium will be a world class palace dedicated to Broncos football, but let’s be careful not to sacrifice the ‘Mile High Magic’ to get there. When the renderings of the new building drop, let’s ask the smart questions and hold true to the stadium experience that has molded Broncos football experience for nearly 70-years.
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