To close the roof or not?

[scottreporter]

There's been quite a few comments in the past month about why the retractable roof was not opened for major events - even when the weather was nice. If you're interested in sharing your thoughts on the roof issue for an Arizona Republic story, please send your name and phone number to scott.wong@arizonarepublic.com.

Thank you,
Scott Wong
Reporter

[Steve85308]

why not just ask the cardinals

[DesertDave]

There's been quite a few comments in the past month about why the retractable roof was not opened for major events - even when the weather was nice. If you're interested in sharing your thoughts on the roof issue for an Arizona Republic story, please send your name and phone number to scott.wong@arizonarepublic.com.

Thank you,
Scott Wong
Reporter

If they open the roof it will hose up the scrumtrulescent acoustics of the building.

Yeah...thats it, thats the ticket...the acoustics!

[lileyho240]

umm...it was open for the monday night game...thats not a major event????

[DesertDave]

umm...it was open for the monday night game...thats not a major event????

It being open for certain football games is rather a given.

I'm Pretty sure they want to know about events other than football.

[MamaMia]

I thought the name looked familiar :biggrin:

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/0124wv-roof24-ON-CP.html

Stadium roof issue frustrates fans
Scott Wong
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 24, 2007 03:24 PM


To close the roof or not? It seems all fans want is a little consistency when it comes to the retractable roof at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.

During November's Rolling Stones concert, the roof remained open during the course of the rock group's 90-minute set. On a mild day in December, the roof was closed during a Seattle Seahawks game, but Arizona Cardinals fans saw cloudy skies when the red birds hosted the Denver Broncos a week later.

More recently, the roof remained shuttered during two nationally televised night games - the Jan. 1 Fiesta Bowl and the Jan. 8 BCS national title game - over worries that fans would be too cold. advertisement


No word yet about whether the U.S. and Mexico national soccer teams will be playing under an open Arizona sky on Feb. 7.

But the fickle nature of the stadium's lid has sparked some frustration among Cardinals fans and other users of the public facility.

"Maybe the first month or two of season I can see it being closed, but after that it's real nice here. They should open it because of the weather," said Glendale resident Matt Fletcher, 35, a Cardinals season ticket holder who attended the BCS game last month with his wife. "(Ohio State) fans were wondering why the roof wasn't open. To them it was gorgeous outside. For them, weather like that didn't come too often that time of year."

Stadium management officials said at each event the lead organizer or promoter has discretion over whether to roll back the two 1,100-ton panels or seal up the venue. Still, those officials concede it's a challenge to keep everyone happy.

"We want all of our fans to be comfortable, but there is a mind-set out there than certain events should be played outside," said Scott Norton, spokesman for Global Spectrum, which runs the stadium. "You're damned if you do and damned if you don't."

The NFL policy for retractable roofs states that the home team needs to decide the position of the roof no later than 90 minutes before kickoff. After that, only the referee has the authority to open or close it.

Cardinals spokesman Mark Dalton said the team's decision whether to open or close the roof was not based purely on "fan comfort."

"It was a bit of a work in progress in season one," he said. "But the general thinking was that if opening the roof created an uncomfortable environment for a significant number of fans, then it was best to keep it closed."

[D.Payne #29]

It amazes me how some fans really care this much about the roof.

[dillon1]

I thought the name looked familiar :biggrin:

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/0124wv-roof24-ON-CP.html

Stadium roof issue frustrates fans
Scott Wong
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 24, 2007 03:24 PM


To close the roof or not? It seems all fans want is a little consistency when it comes to the retractable roof at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.

During November's Rolling Stones concert, the roof remained open during the course of the rock group's 90-minute set. On a mild day in December, the roof was closed during a Seattle Seahawks game, but Arizona Cardinals fans saw cloudy skies when the red birds hosted the Denver Broncos a week later.

More recently, the roof remained shuttered during two nationally televised night games - the Jan. 1 Fiesta Bowl and the Jan. 8 BCS national title game - over worries that fans would be too cold. advertisement


No word yet about whether the U.S. and Mexico national soccer teams will be playing under an open Arizona sky on Feb. 7.

But the fickle nature of the stadium's lid has sparked some frustration among Cardinals fans and other users of the public facility.

"Maybe the first month or two of season I can see it being closed, but after that it's real nice here. They should open it because of the weather," said Glendale resident Matt Fletcher, 35, a Cardinals season ticket holder who attended the BCS game last month with his wife. "(Ohio State) fans were wondering why the roof wasn't open. To them it was gorgeous outside. For them, weather like that didn't come too often that time of year."

Stadium management officials said at each event the lead organizer or promoter has discretion over whether to roll back the two 1,100-ton panels or seal up the venue. Still, those officials concede it's a challenge to keep everyone happy.

"We want all of our fans to be comfortable, but there is a mind-set out there than certain events should be played outside," said Scott Norton, spokesman for Global Spectrum, which runs the stadium. "You're damned if you do and damned if you don't."

The NFL policy for retractable roofs states that the home team needs to decide the position of the roof no later than 90 minutes before kickoff. After that, only the referee has the authority to open or close it.

Cardinals spokesman Mark Dalton said the team's decision whether to open or close the roof was not based purely on "fan comfort."

"It was a bit of a work in progress in season one," he said. "But the general thinking was that if opening the roof created an uncomfortable environment for a significant number of fans, then it was best to keep it closed."

The city of Glendale was burning in their sewage plant those days.:Cards logo:

[az602]

I spent some pretty miserable days in SDS wishing for a fricking dome. And now that we have one, a bunch of whiners, who must have never been to SDS, want an outdoor stadium. When SDS was full, everybody was packed in and you can see (and smell) the heat rising off the crowd. Close the roof and crank up the air, man!!! Those who want an open air stadium can go to ASU and lobby for day games and learn what misery is.

I sincerely DOUBT that the Authority makes most of these decisions. It's probably up to the League/Event organizers as to which they prefer. Since this stadium hasn't been open even 1 year yet, I don't understand this idiocy. If you want to watch a soccer game outside, then don't pay for one unless it's played outside.

In case some of you newbies didn't know this, the roof was opened for the Dallas game. There were complaints that the sun was in their eyes and it was too hot. So they kept it closed and there were complaints that the roof was closed. WAAAAAAH! This is such a non-issue, why would a "journalist" try to make an issue out of it? I know why! To get a bunch of dumbasses to think this is a real controversy. Somebody is apparently smart enough to realize they can keep the crowd COMFORTABLE by closing the roof. Thank God for common sense...

[Dangerous Dan]

:Cards logo: I remember 115 at SDS, so right now just having a roof is great. We can argue the virtues of when it should be open when the temps outside go below 80. Otherwise cool your jets:exclamationmark:

[Jabara]

Last season when the roof was opened for the first time, I was ready to stick the $8,000 worth of tickets up somewhere. The sun was so intense for an hour and a half, we were all covered with sweat and miserable. Unfortunately, they failed to consider east side exposure inside the stadium with the top open. If they decide to open the roof this year, they will lose a number of five year season ticket holders. I didn't committ to $40,000 worth of tickets to re-live ASU stadium.

Dr. H.

[MamaMia]

I wish we had more night games. The MNF game with the roof open was very nice...and no sun!

[DesertDave]

Last season when the roof was opened for the first time, I was ready to stick the $8,000 worth of tickets up somewhere. The sun was so intense for an hour and a half, we were all covered with sweat and miserable. Unfortunately, they failed to consider east side exposure inside the stadium with the top open. If they decide to open the roof this year, they will lose a number of five year season ticket holders. I didn't committ to $40,000 worth of tickets to re-live ASU stadium.

Dr. H.

Not sure which game you mean but, the first time the roof was opened last season was a night game.

As far as it goes though, it's not 'they' who failed to consider the impact of sitting on the east side. That was you.

[dillon1]

Not sure which game you mean but, the first time the roof was opened last season was a night game.

As far as it goes though, it's not 'they' who failed to consider the impact of sitting on the east side. That was you.

I believe it was the Dallas game.:Cards logo:

[spade-tiger]

We can install a giant sun visor on west side of the roof to shade the east stands and have the roof fully open. The visor would need to be only 10 feet tall to block out the sun. It could be an "arc shape" to be use in high winds conditions.

[Steve85308]

He logs into the forum, pops a question, presto!!!!!!! a story. I want one of those jobs. I sit on the Home team side it matters little to me if the roof is open except when Dallas comes to town. Then I say let the sun shine in as many cowboy fan's eyes as posible. :cool2: :cool2: :cool2: :cool2:

[Hollywood]

Last season when the roof was opened for the first time, I was ready to stick the $8,000 worth of tickets up somewhere. The sun was so intense for an hour and a half, we were all covered with sweat and miserable. Unfortunately, they failed to consider east side exposure inside the stadium with the top open. If they decide to open the roof this year, they will lose a number of five year season ticket holders. I didn't committ to $40,000 worth of tickets to re-live ASU stadium.

Dr. H.


Didn't you look at the sun study? Oh well. Move your seats to another section if you aren't happy there. They can't accomodate everyone adn you are sitting on the "visitors" side.

[BulldogsCards]

These fans are so pampered now. First, it's too hot then it's too cold outside. Why didn't we just build a stupid dome if everyone has to be air conditioned and pampered all of the time. I never forget that 108 degree game a few years back where Seattle came here and shut us out. There are some days that it might be a little warm but people are just too overweight and pampered these days. It's good in a way and also bad, but it's the truth.

[dillon1]

These fans are so pampered now. First, it's too hot then it's too cold outside. Why didn't we just build a stupid dome if everyone has to be air conditioned and pampered all of the time. I never forget that 108 degree game a few years back where Seattle came here and shut us out. There are some days that it might be a little warm but people are just too overweight and pampered these days. It's good in a way and also bad, but it's the truth.
:pointup: :pointup:

[crisper57]

Football is a game that is meant to be played outside. Anyone who tells you different is a whiny b$*&#!

[Projekt]

If it is at all possible, Sports should be played outside. Now, there are obvious times when indoors are necessary, but both the Cardinals and the D-backs should open their respective roofs whenever they can. Sure, there's some sun on the visitors side. They are still in the Air Conditioning. At least its not 115 AND the sun is beating down on you.

Still, my favorite football is played in the freezing cold, when it is snowing, raining, ect. A little sun is nothing. When that is the worst of your worries, you have it good. Imagine having to sit for 3+ hours in sub zero temperatures while it is snowing... Or imagine being back at SDS.

[dillon1]

Sure, there's some sun on the visitors side.

There is no visitors side. The sun is in the stands at game time.:Cards logo:

[DUSK884]

Is there a picture or link of the "sun studies"? :D I'm one of those wussies who wants to get into the shaded seats lol. Really, its more convenience for my 3 year old red bird that I want to take with me. And my pasty fish belly wife who burns in the Phoenix sun.

[BulldogsCards]

I agree that the roof should be closed in hot weather. That being at least 90 degrees air temp. or higher. If it's 89 degrees then open the roof. The Rams and Chiefs games could have been possible open dome days. The problem being, those sensitive to direct sun in parts of the stadium. The money making machine wins every time.

[Red Nailer]

I bet about 100 fans who bought seats knowingly in the sun called to complain that the sun hit them in the face for like an hour and then ruined the open air expierience for everybody else.

[Madame X]

Is there a picture or link of the "sun studies"? :D I'm one of those wussies who wants to get into the shaded seats lol. Really, its more convenience for my 3 year old red bird that I want to take with me. And my pasty fish belly wife who burns in the Phoenix sun.

http://www.azcardinals.com/stadium/sunstudies/index.php :Cards logo:

[DUSK884]

thank you!

[tempe_cardfan]

Football is a game that is meant to be played outside. Anyone who tells you different is a whiny b$*&#!

Hey lookie here. Somebody wants to go back to SDS.

[nflfan]

I bet about 100 fans who bought seats knowingly in the sun called to complain that the sun hit them in the face for like an hour and then ruined the open air expierience for everybody else.

Exactly, like the people who bought houses in the new Developments by Luke, will complain of the jets and eventually will get Luke closed.

[cardsloco]

I spent some pretty miserable days in SDS wishing for a fricking dome. And now that we have one, a bunch of whiners, who must have never been to SDS, want an outdoor stadium. When SDS was full, everybody was packed in and you can see (and smell) the heat rising off the crowd. Close the roof and crank up the air, man!!! Those who want an open air stadium can go to ASU and lobby for day games and learn what misery is.

I sincerely DOUBT that the Authority makes most of these decisions. It's probably up to the League/Event organizers as to which they prefer. Since this stadium hasn't been open even 1 year yet, I don't understand this idiocy. If you want to watch a soccer game outside, then don't pay for one unless it's played outside.

In case some of you newbies didn't know this, the roof was opened for the Dallas game. There were complaints that the sun was in their eyes and it was too hot. So they kept it closed and there were complaints that the roof was closed. WAAAAAAH! This is such a non-issue, why would a "journalist" try to make an issue out of it? I know why! To get a bunch of dumbasses to think this is a real controversy. Somebody is apparently smart enough to realize they can keep the crowd COMFORTABLE by closing the roof. Thank God for common sense...

The purpose of a retractable roof is to retract it. I am with you as to having the roof closed in the early part of the year, but as the temperatures come down it is plain stupidity to keep the roof closed. The real football experiance is enjoyed outside, and for the few of you who didn't pay attention when you bought your tickets, you are ruining our game day experiance. I don't think you should be forced to sit in unbearable conditions, but 85 degrees does'nt qualify as unbearable. The crowd you claim they are keeping comfortable was less then 10% of the entire fan base. I am not a newbie as your five years pale incomparison to the time I spent at SDS. The second half of the season the weather was real nice at SDS, but I was again wise enough to have my tickets on the home side. The bottom line is buy a hat, wear some shades, and enjoy our Arizona winters. If that does'nt work, your crying should keep you cool.:Cards logo:

[nflfan]

The purpose of a retractable roof is to retract it. I am with you as to having the roof closed in the early part of the year, but as the temperatures come down it is plain stupidity to keep the roof closed. The real football experiance is enjoyed outside, and for the few of you who didn't pay attention when you bought your tickets, you are ruining our game day experiance. I don't think you should be forced to sit in unbearable conditions, but 85 degrees does'nt qualify as unbearable. The crowd you claim they are keeping comfortable was less then 10% of the entire fan base. I am not a newbie as your five years pale incomparison to the time I spent at SDS. The second half of the season the weather was real nice at SDS, but I was again wise enough to have my tickets on the home side. The bottom line is buy a hat, wear some shades, and enjoy our Arizona winters. If that does'nt work, your crying should keep you cool.:Cards logo:

Amen.

We now get to sit in the A/c when it's hot and air it out when it's nice. That's what this whole design was about. I sat in 247 at SDS and it was very bright. Good thing I had to look down and actually watch the game. Starring up at the sun and complaining about it for 15 minutes can make you go blind. Good thing they had the sun studies to show these people when they had to actually watch the game by looking down on the field and not to look up into the sun. It's a nice new retractable stadium and we don't need casualties.

Roof closed when it's hot, roof open when it's nice. The "nice" part is all we have going for us out here. Just ask all the snowbirds and transplants. Today for example, T-Shirt and blue Jeans. Close the roof, I think not.

[Red Nailer]

Exactly, like the people who bought houses in the new Developments by Luke, will complain of the jets and eventually will get Luke closed.

Finally someone who shares a thought with me!

Thanks Bud!:football:

[Red Nailer]

The Cardinals built an awesome stadium and a few jerkwads probably blew it year one! They should send the fans a letter saying the final 4 home games from now on will be played with the roof open period. If you can't take the heat, turn in your ticket cause there are plenty of people in line that would like your seat on the east thirty, sitting in the sun in November, at a football game, at a time when people in most every other NFL stadium are bundled up fighting the cold and rain.

Better yet, don't send any letter and tell that to the sixteen people who call in on the following Monday regarding the roof issue.

What a joke that a few complainers which are mostly liars, non season ticket holders and visiting team fans, can rally to shut a roof!

[Hollywood]

The Cardinals built an awesome stadium and a few jerkwads probably blew it year one! They should send the fans a letter saying the final 4 home games from now on will be played with the roof open period. If you can't take the heat, turn in your ticket cause there are plenty of people in line that would like your seat on the east thirty, sitting in the sun in November, at a football game, at a time when people in most every other NFL stadium are bundled up fighting the cold and rain.

Better yet, don't send any letter and tell that to the sixteen people who call in on the following Monday regarding the roof issue.

What a joke that a few complainers which are mostly liars, non season ticket holders and visiting team fans, can rally to shut a roof!


No, I like the letter idea but they should send a letter of apoligy to everyone else. We are sorry that the roof was closed.

[Red Nailer]

No, I like the letter idea but they should send a letter of apoligy to everyone else. We are sorry that the roof was closed.

Yea!:poke:

[az602]

The purpose of a retractable roof is to retract it. I am with you as to having the roof closed in the early part of the year, but as the temperatures come down it is plain stupidity to keep the roof closed. The real football experiance is enjoyed outside, and for the few of you who didn't pay attention when you bought your tickets, you are ruining our game day experiance. I don't think you should be forced to sit in unbearable conditions, but 85 degrees does'nt qualify as unbearable. The crowd you claim they are keeping comfortable was less then 10% of the entire fan base. I am not a newbie as your five years pale incomparison to the time I spent at SDS. The second half of the season the weather was real nice at SDS, but I was again wise enough to have my tickets on the home side. The bottom line is buy a hat, wear some shades, and enjoy our Arizona winters. If that does'nt work, your crying should keep you cool.:Cards logo:

That's a bunch of BS...

You all sound like a bunch of girly-men. "It's such a beautiful day outside! Let's open the curtains and windows and get some fresh air! I'll open up a can of potpourri!"

I don't care if it's nice outside or not. The sad fact is, we play in a DOME. I don't need the roof open to enjoy the game. I am thoroughly immersed in Cardinals Football. The last thing on my mind is whether the roof is open or not.

[KidStallyn]

Finally someone who shares a thought with me!

Thanks Bud!:football:

NFL Fan would like his thought back....He's getting lonely.....

[nflfan]

NFL Fan would like his thought back....He's getting lonely.....


Hey, that's right. I want my one thought back. Lord knows my wife won't let me have one. I'll be danged if football fans take the only one from me. That's like taking a mans last beer.:biggrin:

[dbrown81]

I guess in some cases they wanted to possibly keep the croud noise up by closing the roof. :dontknow:

[KidStallyn]

That's a bunch of BS...

You all sound like a bunch of girly-men. "It's such a beautiful day outside! Let's open the curtains and windows and get some fresh air! I'll open up a can of potpourri!"

I don't care if it's nice outside or not. The sad fact is, we play in a DOME. I don't need the roof open to enjoy the game. I am thoroughly immersed in Cardinals Football. The last thing on my mind is whether the roof is open or not.

tink tink tink....Is dis ting on????

If they ALWAYS wanted the roof closed....THEY WOULDN'T HAVE MADE IT RETRACTABLE.....

TANK YOU!

[az602]

tink tink tink....Is dis ting on????

If they ALWAYS wanted the roof closed....THEY WOULDN'T HAVE MADE IT RETRACTABLE.....

TANK YOU!

My point, Kid, is that I'm not concerned with having the roof open to enjoy the game. I would enjoy it open or closed. It is possibly the LAST thing I think about on gameday. I'm not gonna cry cuz the roof's not open, maybe because we lost, but not about the roof.

If we start winning, can we all stop crying about the roof status? Will anybody care as long as we WIN?!!! :Cards logo: :Cards logo: :exclamationmark:

[dillon1]

Open, closed who cares, as long as it 75 degrees or less.:Cards logo:

[cardsloco]

That's a bunch of BS...

You all sound like a bunch of girly-men. "It's such a beautiful day outside! Let's open the curtains and windows and get some fresh air! I'll open up a can of potpourri!"

I don't care if it's nice outside or not. The sad fact is, we play in a DOME. I don't need the roof open to enjoy the game. I am thoroughly immersed in Cardinals Football. The last thing on my mind is whether the roof is open or not.
I don't need the roof closed to enjoy the game, when its 80 degrees or less outside, because I am thoroughly immersed in Cardinals Football. You don't want the roof open because you failed to do your homework and now sit in the sun studies guide of places to avoid.



I spent some pretty miserable days in SDS wishing for a fricking dome. And now that we have one, a bunch of whiners, who must have never been to SDS, want an outdoor stadium. When SDS was full, everybody was packed in and you can see (and smell) the heat rising off the crowd. Close the roof and crank up the air, man!!! Those who want an open air stadium can go to ASU and lobby for day games and learn what misery is.
This solds more girly to me, mr potpourri.
I get to the game 4 hours till kick off, hang with fellow Cards fans, so heat is not an issue. I'm just geussing, you were in the band in high school, right?

[BulldogsCards]

It's more girly to not open the roof than to open it. Football is meant to play outdoors!

[SEZ]

To me it creature features. What ever it takes to make people happy is the bottom line.

:Cards logo: