“Rockets latest to put interactives upstairs” by Katie Bell, Volume 8 Issue 37 Page 4

This article is about how NBA teams are adding interactive areas to their arenas in an attempt to maximize the fan experience. Shortly after the Phoenix Suns opened a playground in their US Airways Center, the Houston Rockets decided to turn what used to be a storage space into a large interactive area. It is 8,000 square feet and is called the Memorial Hermann Sky Court. Memorial Hermann is one of the largest health-care systems in Houston and agreed to this five-year deal in order to bring a fan-friendly area to the arena. The interactive area includes a basketball half-court, a private party room, and features that let fans measure their height, weight, wingspan, and vertical jump against those of current Rockets players. In addition, the Rockets are building a new club in the upper suite level to host special events.

I think this is a smart move for the Rockets and other teams that are making changes in their arenas to benefit fans. Not only will it be popular with the diehard basketball fans, but it will also be a nice addition for families and kids. Children can get restless and may not enjoy sitting through an entire sporting event. These interactive areas will provide some extra entertainment for them. Not only is this an opportunity to bring in new fans, it is also an excellent opportunity to retain fans. Their goal is to maximize the experience and I think this is a good way to do just that.