Oracle Arena

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Oracle Arena
The Arena in Oakland, The Coliseum Arena
Image:oraclearena.jpg
Location 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, California 94621
Broke ground 1964
Opened 1966
Closed Open
Owner City of Oakland
Operator SMG Facility Management
Construction cost $121 million USD (renovation in 1997)
Architect HNTB
Former names
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena (1966-1996)
The Arena in Oakland (1997-2004)
Oakland Arena (2004-2006)
Tenants
Golden State Warriors (NBA) (1966-1967), (1971-1996), (1997-present)
Capacity
19,596 (basketball)
Inside Oracle Arena.
Inside Oracle Arena.

The Oracle Arena also known by its former name of The Arena in Oakland is an indoor arena in Oakland, California, United States. 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 Over the years though, the arena became increasingly outdated, lacking the luxuries of newer ones.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 19671976. 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), Rage Against the Machine 1997, Tool 2002 & 2006, U2 (2005) and scheduled for The Rolling Stones in 2006.

[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

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Cow Palace
19661971
Home of the
Golden State Warriors
19661967, 19711996
Succeeded by
San Jose Arena
19961997
Preceded by
San Jose Arena
19961997
Home of the
Golden State Warriors
1997–present
Succeeded by
current
Preceded by
first arena
Home of the
California Golden Seals
19671976
Succeeded by
Richfield Coliseum
19761979

Coordinates: 37°45′0.96″N, 122°12′10.27″W

Current arenas in the National Basketball Association
Western Conference Eastern Conference
American Airlines Center | ARCO Arena | AT&T Center | EnergySolutions Arena | FedExForum | Ford Center | KeyArena | New Orleans Arena | Oracle Arena | Pepsi Center | Rose Garden Arena | Staples Center | Target Center | Toyota Center | US Airways Center Air Canada Centre | AmericanAirlines Arena | Amway Arena | Bradley Center | Charlotte Bobcats Arena | Conseco Fieldhouse | Continental Airlines Arena | Madison Square Garden | The Palace of Auburn Hills | Philips Arena | Quicken Loans Arena | TD Banknorth Garden | United Center | Verizon Center | Wachovia Center
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