https://www.illinoispolicy.org/taxpayer-...ojections/

Quote:Despite attendance for DePaul men’s basketball games having previously hovered below 3,000 per game, HVS projected the 10,000-seat Wintrust Arena would draw an average of 9,500 people per game. A February 2017 economic impact report by MPEA eyed an average attendance of 9,000 for Wintrust Arena games and events.

But MPEA documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show Wintrust Arena events falling far short of these estimates. Men’s basketball games, for example, have drawn an average of only 3,142 fans per game, trailing HVS and MPEA projections by 67 percent and 65 percent, respectively.

Taxpayers split the cost with DePaul University for the arena, with each contributing $82.5 million. MPEA has insisted the investment will ultimately pay off for taxpayers by generating economic activity, largely through increased consumer spending in the area.

I attended St John’s-DePaul and attempted a headcount. Failed to get 300. Beautiful arena though. Able to park in a garage and walk through an indoor skywalk - never have to step foot outside. (That appealed to my mom so tried taking her to Marquette-DePaul but garage was full so we went to ISU/Loyola instead.)