The Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC is a state-of-the-art indoor arena. The Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA) are the building’s primary tenant and city of Charlotte owner. The maximum capacity of the arena is 20,200, however it seats 19,077 for NBA games.
Charlotte Bobcats Arena first welcomed fans in October of 2005. When naming rights were obtained in 2008, the arena’s name was changed to Time Warner Cable Arena. It was rebranded as Spectrum after Charter Communications’ 2016 acquisition of Time Warner Cable.
The original Hornets franchise was supposed to play there in the early 2000s. The Charlotte Coliseum, home of the Hornets, was written off as antiquated despite just being 13 years old.
To demonstrate what was thought to be overwhelming popular support for new arena building, a non-binding public referendum for an arts package including money to build the new uptown arena was placed on the ballot for voters in 2001. Before then-mayor Pat McCrory vetoed a living wage ordinance in the days leading up to the referendum, polls showed that it had a good chance of passing. Helping Empower Local People, a grassroots organization that advocates for a living wage, mounted a campaign against the arena on the grounds that it was immoral for the city to build a new arena while city workers were not being paid a wage that would allow them to sustain a family. With 43% in favor of constructing the arena and 57% opposing, the referendum was a failure.
The city’s authorities came up with a plan to construct a new arena without asking voters for permission, but they made it clear that the Hornets’ then-owner, George Shinn, would have to sell the franchise before construction could begin. The NBA itself admitted that Shinn had turned off supporters, but they were concerned that Shinn’s statement might infuriate other team owners.
The relocation of the Hornets to New Orleans was ultimately sanctioned by the National Basketball Association. However, as part of the agreement, the league pledged to bring a new club to the city, which eventually became the Bobcats. It was expected that the arena will cost Charlotte and Mecklenburg County roughly $260 million. The city council voted to move on with the construction without holding another referendum.
There are other types of events held at the arena as well as sports. The venue hosts a wide variety of performances, from musicals and comedies to circuses and professional wrestling.
There are other types of events held at the arena as well as sports. The venue hosts a wide variety of performances, from musicals and comedies to circuses and professional wrestling.
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