Don’t Expect a New Basketball Arena Any Time Soon

We are coming up on a year since the UA System Board of Trustees gave the okay to start planning a new basketball and gymnastics arena, but talks seem to have slowed.

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Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats recently voiced his support of it, expressing how a new arena is a big deal for the program.

He said how Coleman Coliseum is a "little bit behind," even with the practice gym and locker room being in great shape. He said the arena could still definitely benefit from a revamp.

"We need to have a great home environment every single game. With a new arena, I think we can get a lot closer to that. I think it’s a big deal for the future," Oats said during his Monday news conference.

Especially with this young, new and improved team opening the season as hot as ever, Oats as well as players feel it would be an appropriate time for the revamp.

The proposal for the new arena was made back in February of 2022. It gave a cost of about $183 million with a seating capacity of about 10,400. Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne said the department was still in basic level talks with other decision makers in June, and since then, inflation has only skyrocketed.

Byrne made it clear that a new arena still and will always be a priority, but the supply chain issues around the world right now have hamstrung the process.

In that case, don't expect a new basketball and gymnastics arena in Tuscaloosa any time soon.