Celtics Exploring An Outdoor Game At Fenway Park
BOSTON (CBS) -- After watching the success of this year's Winter Classic (the preparation at Gillette that is, and not the outcome of the game), the Boston Celtics want in on some of the outdoor fun.
The Celtics have already had some discussions with the Boston Red Sox about playing an outdoor game at Fenway Park, president Rich Gotham told The Boston Globe on Monday.
"I've gotten into it. I really like the idea," said Gotham. "I think if you can find a way to sort of differentiate the game and make it fun for fans, that's a great thing. And the Winter Classic certainly does that.
PHOTOS: 2016 Winter Classic At Gillette Stadium
"Even when Fenway stages certain events, like football games, it just makes it more special for people involved and the fans. I think if you can do it, great. At the same time, my job requires me to be pragmatic, so you'd need to look at the hurdles."
Aside from the pesky Boston weather, scheduling remains one of the biggest hurdles for the C's and their quest for an outdoor game at the famous ball yard. The NBA season usually begins around Halloween and ends in April, but they certainly won't be playing an outdoor game of basketball during Boston's winter months. With the Red Sox opening their season in April and, hopefully, playing baseball well into October, that wouldn't leave much time for the Fenway crew to make such a transformation for an early-October or mid-April game.
The Celtics could settle on a preseason game in October, which would give them some wiggle room if the game needs to be canceled due to weather, but a preseason NBA game wouldn't have the same cache the recent Winter Classic between the Bruins and Canadiens brought to Gillette Stadium, or the Boston College-Notre Dame college football game that Fenway hosted in November.
Watching the Celtics play an outdoor game at Fenway Park would no doubt be an awesome visual, but the team may have to find a different venue if they hope to play out in nature.
