| BankUnited Center | |
|---|---|
| Convocation Center | |
| Full name | University of Miami BankUnited Center |
| Location | 1245 Dauer Drive Coral Gables, Florida 33146 |
| Broke ground | April 4, 2001[1] |
| Opened | January 4, 2003 |
| Owner | University of Miami |
| Operator | Global Spectrum |
| Surface | Hardwood |
| Construction cost | $48 million ($51.3 million in 2012 dollars[2]) |
| Architect | Ellerbe Becket Spills Candela |
| General Contractor | Turner Construction[3] |
| Capacity | 8,000 |
| Tenants | |
| Miami Hurricanes (Men's and Women's Basketball) (2003–present) |
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The BankUnited Center is a 8,000-seat multi-purpose arena on the campus of the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. The venue hosts concerts, family shows, trade shows, lecture series, university events and sporting events, including all University of Miami men's and women's basketball games.
The BankUnited Center is served by the Miami Metrorail at the University Station.
The BankUnited Center is managed by Global Spectrum, a subsidiary of Philadelphia-based Comcast Spectacor, which owns the Wachovia Center, the Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League, the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association, the Philadelphia Phantoms of the American Hockey League, Flyers Skate Zone, a series of community skating rinks, and Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, a regional sports programming network.
Currently the fate of the arena's naming rights, which are held by the failed BankUnited, are in question; the institution was sold by the FDIC to a private equity group after seizure on May 21, 2009.[4]
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The arena opened in 2003 as the University of Miami Convocation Center, and is home to the Miami Hurricanes Men's and Women's basketball teams. Events held in the BankUnited Center include concerts, sporting events, lectures, award shows, high school graduations, and Men's and Women's basketball games. It is the largest arena ever built on campus.
Prior to the opening of the BankUnited Center (informally known as the BUC), the school played its games at the Miami Arena since its opening in 1988.
The 2007 issue of Venues Today, one of the entertainment industry's leading publications, reports that the BankUnited Center outperformed all but one other venue in Florida in its size category for number of concerts and touring events held in 2006.[5]
In September 2004, the BankUnited Center was the scene of the first presidential debate between incumbent George W. Bush and his challenger John Kerry.
BankUnited, the largest bank headquartered in Florida, entered into an agreement with University of Miami to name the building in honor of the company. BankUnited is based in Coral Gables, home of UM, and many members of the management team are alumni. The bank also recruits extensively from UM’s student population.
In March 2005, the BankUnited Center hosted the Havana Night Club show.
In April 2005, Green Day performed at the BankUnited Center.
In October 2005, Kanye West performed at the BankUnited Center. One week later, the venue hosted an Audioslave concert with 30 Seconds to Mars.
In February 2006, the BankUnited Center hosted World Championship Boxing.
In August 2006, Latin pop artist Ricky Martin taped his MTV Unplugged video at the BankUnited Center[6]
In November 2007, the BankUnited Center hosted a concert by the All-American Rejects.
In January 2007, the BankUnited Center hosted concerts from John Mayer and The Fray.
In February 2007, the BankUnited Center hosted the Blue Man Group, as a part of their "Megastar" tour.
In April 2007, the BankUnited Center hosted the 2007 Billboard Latin Music Awards. Also in April, the Latin Grammy Awards were held at the BankUnited Center and televised on Telemundo as well as a concert by MercyMe, later in the month.
In October 2007, Evanescence performed at the BankUnited Center. Later in the month, the Newsboys performed at the venue as well.
In September and December 2007 Univision hosted a forums in Spanish moderated by Univision's anchors Jorge Ramos and Maria Elena Salinas. The forums were for Democratic and Republican presidential hopefuls to discuss issues for Hispanic Americans.
In 2008, the BankUnited Center celebrated its 5th Anniversary. The BankUnited Center also celebrated its 1,000,000th visitor.
The rehearsals for the 2008 La Vida World Tour by Colombian rock musician Juanes in support of his 2007 album, La Vida... Es un Ratico were held here in February 2008.
The building also held the Elite XC presents Street Certified event featuring the Kimbo Slice/Tank Abbott fight and the Miami Freestyle Invasion. Total Nonstop Action Wrestling held a house show at the BankUnited Center on September 27, 2008
The building also was the site of rallies for 2008 Presidential Candidates Barack Obama and John McCain. The events, held on September 19th and November 2nd respectively, filled the building as the candidates made their push for the White House.
| Preceded by Miami Arena |
Home of the Miami Hurricanes basketball team 2003 – present |
Succeeded by Current |
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