Michigan Stadium holds about 60,000 more people than Comerica Park. (Eric Bronson, U-M Photo Services)
Based on everything we’ve heard recently, it would be a shock if the 2013 Winter Classic was not hosted by the Detroit Red Wings. And it’s looking more and more likely that the NHL’s New Year’s Day showcase will be played at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.
Yahoo! Sports reported Wednesday, citing multiple sources, that the NHL is in “advanced discussions” with the University of Michigan to hold the Winter Classic at the Big House.
Athletic department spokesman Dave Ablauf said Wednesday that any confirmation of an agreement at this point would be “premature.” But reached by phone Wednesday by Yahoo! Sports, Ablauf said, “We’re listening.”
According to Sports Business Daily this week, “An NHL exec said that the league will make an announcement on next year’s [Winter Classic] ‘by the Jan. 29 NHL All-Star Game and that next year’s event will ‘break records.’”
Michigan and Michigan State drew 104,173 fans to “The Big Chill” outdoor game at Michigan Stadium last year, a new world record for hockey game attendance. Michigan then had 114,804 fans pack in to Michigan Stadium for this year’s night football game against Notre Dame, a new NCAA attendance record.
The NHL would love to boast a number similar to those, especially after this year’s Winter Classic — held in Philadelphia on Jan. 2, to avoid the NFL schedule on Jan. 1 — drew its lowest ratings ever.
The team most discussed as the Red Wings’ possible opponent for the 2013 Winter Classic has been the Toronto Maple Leafs. That would be the first Canadian team to participate in the event, but the Maple Leafs’ close proximity to Detroit and strong fan base would almost guarantee a massive crowd packs Michigan Stadium.
The other option for the 2013 Winter Classic, if Detroit is indeed awarded the game, would be to hold it at Comerica Park. There are several advantages to that — it’s in downtown Detroit, there would be no alcohol sales issues like at Michigan Stadium, and revenue issues between Michigan and Red Wings’ owner Mike Ilitch would be avoided — but the Tigers’ park has a capacity of just over 40,000, well shy of what Michigan Stadium can hold.