Stadiums

Of all the activities of a sports organization, operating a stadium has one of the greatest environmental effects. Construction of sports facilities boomed as economies in the United States and Europe expanded in the 1990s and public investments in spectator sports were perceived as beneficial to civic identities. In 2010, 22 of the 30 Major League Baseball (MLB) teams played in buildings completed after 1990, and hundreds more buildings were built in the United States for National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), National Hockey League (NHL), minor league, and college teams during the period. The new buildings [Page 868]included features not seen in older facilities, such as luxury suites that mirrored the amenities of hotels, as well as expanded plumbing, catering, and concession services for all spectators. Development of these structures generated a considerable amount of construction waste and, once open, their lighting, scoreboard, public address, and other systems consumed energy. In the early 21st century, in response to economic crisis, consumer interest, and unstable energy costs, many sports organizations have made an effort toward more sustainable practices. Both Chicago and Tokyo included sustainability plans in their 2016 Olympics hosting bids, for instance, including Chicago's plan to recycle stadium seating into wheelchair seats. Some 75 percent of professional sports teams, according to a 2008 survey, have implemented or developed a sustainability plan for their team or stadium.

LEED Stadiums

The MLB Washington Nationals, the NHL Atlanta Thrashers, and the NBA Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat have become the first four professional sports teams to play in LEED-certified venues. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System focuses on energy efficiency, sustainable construction practices, and creating a healthy working environment. In part because it was formulated in 1998, when alternative energy sources were less commonly available, the LEED standards focus on energy efficiency with the assumption that fossil fuels are in use, and so do not properly reflect the advantages of other energy sources.

When the new Yankee Stadium was completed in 2009, it purchased renewable energy certificates sufficient for two years of electricity usage (33 million kilowatt hours). Much of the cooking oil in the stadium is recycled to produce biodiesel, and vendors have converted to recyclable paper products with no petroleum-plastic cups allowed. Converted plumbing fixtures conserve millions of gallons of water per year, the Great Hall uses natural cooling instead of electric air conditioning, and automated control systems and reduce lighting wattage.

The resource consumption of a typical stadium is enormous, but much of it can be trimmed through proper design and practices. Some alterations are obvious: these LEED-certified venues use compact fluorescent lightbulbs, like many energy-conscious households. Furthermore, water conservation can offer significant savings. American Airlines Arena in Miami has reduced its water bill by $3 million per year. Recycled materials can be used for many [Page 869]purposes, including the carpeting at Philips Arena in Atlanta.