Cleveland Arena was an arena in Cleveland, Ohio. It was built and privately financed by local businessman Albert C. Sutphin during the height of the Great Depression in 1937 as a playing site for Sutphin's AHL team, the Cleveland Barons. Later it hosted Sutphin's Basketball Association of America's Cleveland Rebels and Nick Mileti's National Basketball Association's Cleveland Cavaliers and the WHA's Cleveland Crusaders. The arena was located at 3717 Euclid Avenue, and seated 9,900 in the stands and 12,500+ for events such as boxing where floor seating was available.
While the arena was a showpiece when it opened, by the time it closed in 1974 it had become decrepit and lacked adequate parking. The area was notorious for the high level of crime and several Cleveland Crusaders players experienced theft of their cars and mugging outside the arena.[1]
It was replaced by the Coliseum at Richfield and demolished in 1977.
Cleveland Arena exterior.
References[]
- ↑ The Rebel League, Ed Willis, McClelland & Stewart Ltd, 1994, p.110
External Links[]
- Cleveland Arena (Encyclopedia of Cleveland History)
- Arenas by Munsey & Suppes
| Preceded by first arena |
Home of the Cleveland Crusaders 1972 – 1974 |
Succeeded by Coliseum at Richfield |