In his capacity as a Columnist for California Sports Lawyer®, Founder and Managing Attorney Jeremy Evans has written a column about five "wish list" iconic sports events yet to happen.
You can read the full column below.
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Maybe it was the Instagram post with generative artificial intelligence picture renderings of iconic sports venues imagined by a computer. Maybe it was the New York Rangers and New York Islanders attendance record at MetLife Stadium of 79,690 fans, the third-largest crowd in National Hockey League (“NHL”) history, as part of an outdoor venue for the NHL’s non-arena series of games. Maybe it is sheer hope that one these sports venues or opportunities would wish itself into existence so all could enjoy the experience.
Here are the author’s top five:
A Formula One (“F1”) grand prix in California on the waterfront
California is home to iconic racetracks and history, but recent history has shown both NASCAR and F1 leaving the Golden State for more business friendly venues. Laguna Seca, Riverside, Fontana, and others have been home to races, while Willow Springs has appeared in many Hollywood feature films, television series, and has motivated many drivers to championship status. Imagine an iconic F1 race utilizing the ocean views and breeze to attract the next generation of fans, while cultivating surf culture, Hollywood, and the love of cars into a race. Netflix would assuredly be a sponsor with its very successful “Drive to Survive” series. The “California One” race could be held partially on the Pacific Coast Highway, the California 1.
An F1 grand prix in the mountains of Utah
Utah and Arizona, and the southwestern United States of America in general, have many National Parks and iconic scenery. A mere couple of hours away from Las Vegas, a race in the mountains to lakes in Utah would be iconic and the scenery would be free. God-given beauty. The vastness of the West is also a treasure that many have not experienced or even comprehend. For example, Arizona is the sixth largest state and can fit all of New England plus the state of Pennsylvania inside its borders. Utah is the eleventh largest state and with the Wasatch Mountains and 2,000 lakes and 80 mountain ranges, there might not be a better place with a major city and nature.
A sporting event in space (assuming a controlled environment with gravity)
Positively one of the iconic sporting events yet to take place. The fear of being in space for the athletes would be one thing. What about fans or would it be a closed environment? The pictures and videos would be epic. The memes about getting dunked on in space or hitting a moon shot home run would bring a different meaning entirely while in space. Clearly the rockets can get there (no pun intended Houston Rockets), the question would be the venue and journey. An experience worth the challenge.
An open-air pro football, soccer, or baseball stadium build on an island in a bay
San Diego, California has twice considered a stadium in its Bay in the 1960s and before leaving for Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium in 2017. Iconic would be one word. PNC Park in Pittsburgh for the Pirates (Major League Baseball) offers an opportunity to get to the game by foot, car, or boat. San Francisco’s Oracle Park does too, plus trains. Imagine a footbridge or any bridge to a sports venue in the middle of a bay. Views would never be an issue. The engineering feat would be memorable and have the ability to become a wonder of the world.
Ironman race, but with vehicles, boats, and planes across states and countries
The Grand Tour and Top Gear meet for a race with real drivers and teams can include multiple people, celebrities, amateurs, and professionals. Or imagine Burt Reynolds, Paul Newman, Marty Robbins, and Steve McQueen (who all raced cars in real life) competing with Bubba Wallace and Dale Earnhardt or Amelia Earhart in an Amazing Race, Smokey & the Bandit, or The Cannonball Run style, but possibly a little more serious, legal, and yet entertaining. It would be the Pro-Am Pebble Beach meets ironman with man-made machines. The series on a streaming platform would be most-watched. Insert Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise and it is a hit series with championship stakes. Red Bull would be a terrific sponsor!
Either the ideas above happen or the reader just got a glimpse into the author’s mind on sports venues. One can dream.
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About Jeremy M. Evans:
Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. Evans is an award-winning attorney and industry leader based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.
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