Re(5): Dania reflections Posted on March 3, 2026 at 11:41:05 PM by MJAALWAYS
Craig G,
I can point out the putrid Ct moves:
(1) Bridgeport opens after 1st owners bow out over corruption with politicians. It is given a desolate setting, and opens to a few thousand open seats, btw.
(2) Bridgeport, Hartford, and Ct should NOT have allowed frontons opening post strike w/o adding much lighting and far more cops. Simply put, jai alai dies w/o operating during the strike era, so do not alienate fans. No one went to games during the strike who were not already loyal fans.
(3) Bridgeport's owner was too focused on casino with Wynn that had no shot to pass legislature nor get non toxic land in city to build, and state properly shifted more of 12 month periods to Milford. With Hartford doing poorly, having 2 failing frontons further helped the casinos new to Ct.
(4) Lasa led players in illegal tactics versus strike attendees. That led the owners to drag the strike out further, and alienated fans again, who were there pre strike too. Hence, post strike attendance and handle never matched pre strike numbers.
Milford did all anyone could ask to promote jai alai in Ct, but how the striking players handled themselves had done far too much harm, and with casinos offering safety and gambling plus beauty in their designs, Milford would soon also fail.
So yes I fully think handles have maxed out, as play occurs before what would be a small quantity of fans at a Single A baseball game. The game was on fragile ground, just like dog tracks, in that once handle falls below critical mass, more bettors drop out.
PS: Magic City did help the game by using a court model where the ball could be continuously tracked (I know because granite walls weighed too much, so they chose clear panels), and I suspect Dania's owners do not improve their camera view which is miles better than a few years ago, w/o seeing the Magic City camera capability. That improved view is great for both.
Tiger's Jai-Alai Chalk Talk
