Formerly known as the San Diego Sports Arena and the iPayOne Center, the iconic Valley View Casino Center San Diego is poised to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its opening on Nov. 17, 1966.
Located on Sports Arena Boulevard in the Midway District, the indoor arena has hosted many of the top names in the worlds of sports and entertainment including the first bout between Muhammad Ali and former Marine and San Diego resident Ken Norton on March 1, 1973. In that fight, Norton won a 12-round split decision, and broke Ali’s jaw to become the North American Boxing Federation heavyweight champion. “There is no other building in San Diego with such a rich history that is as active in sports and entertainment and is still around,” said Ernie Hahn, general manager of Arena Group 2000, which between 1992 and 2008 was the primary operator of the facility. “But certainly, after 50 years, to have a building like this that’s still doing 140 events per year, and can showcase such a rich history that nobody else has makes us extremely proud and excited for everybody in San Diego.” Hahn said that a sampling of artists who have performed in the arena include: The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley, Ike & Tina Turner, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, The Doors, Eric Clapton, Van Halen, The Who, Garth Brooks, Janice Joplin, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.
“Many people have seen their first major show or event here,” Hahn said. “Everybody in modern day history you can think of except for the Beatles has played in the building, and the list goes on and on and we’re really proud of that.” In 2008, AEG Facilities Inc. acquired a controlling interest in the 67-acre, city-owned site from Arena Group 2000. AEG, a subsidiary of the privately held Anschutz Corp. is one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters worldwide.
“It’s always been a fun place, but we’ve put in the creature comforts and amenities to give everybody a 2016 experience in a building that was built in 1966,” Hahn said. “Every aspect of the building is better than you would have remembered it going back 50 years.”
Hahn said that since 2008, AEG has infused more than $7 million into the building. He added that the facility has never run as well as it has in the 25 years he’s been working there. “We truly are proud and honored to be part of the San Diego community at the Valley View Casino Center,” said Bob Newman, facilities president for AEG. “There are not many arenas in the world that are 50 years old, and the list is even shorter with those that are 50 years old and having their best years ever.”
Newman called San Diego a proven and passionate sports and entertainment market that has matured by leaps and bounds, and that at some point will demand a new venue once the current one has outlived its useful life. He added that a new venue in the right location will bring new sports and music events from markets that do not currently visit San Diego. “We recognize that there is a definite need for a next generation facility in the market, and the community will be absolutely engaged in that decision,” Newman said. “For now, AEG is excited to be part of figuring out what that vision will be for the future, what it may serve, where it may serve and what it may look like.”
Hahn said that a plan for a new arena to be built in the year 2000 had been created, and Arena 2000 was working with the city of San Diego on developing land where the tailgate lot near Petco Park exists today, but funding for the project fell short by $35 million. In June, it was reported that AEG was asked to be a partner by San Diego development firm OliverMcMillan, to submit plans to the San Diego Unified Port District to replace the 70-acre Seaport Village, whose lease expires in 2018.
Built by the late Bob Breitbard, a former Hoover High School and San Diego State College football coach for $6.4 million, the arena’s first tenant was the San Diego Gulls of the Western Hockey League. From 1967 to 1971, Elvin Hayes and the San Diego Rockets of the National Basketball Association called the arena home. According to Hahn, since 1980, Kobey’s Swap meet, San Diego’s largest outdoor flea market operating on 20 acres within the arena’s parking lot, has been one of the primary and longest running tenants.
Hahn said that a yearlong celebration to thank the 40 plus million people who have come through the doors of the building is planned starting with a kickoff event on Nov. 17. Guests will include partners, players of the past and patrons. More information on the Valley View Casino Center can be found at www.valleyviewcasinocenter.com.