Winter Classic 2013: Red Wings and Maple Leafs in Big House Is a Terrible Idea

The NHL got the matchup for the 2013 Winter Classic right, Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Detroit Red Wings, but the league is reportedly close to choosing the wrong venue for the event.

There are a few venues that makes sense for next year's Classic. The "Big House" at the University of Michigan is one site that has generated a ton of interest, and the stadium has hosted outdoor hockey before.

However, the problem with having the game in Ann Arbor is that the city of Detroit would not be at the forefront of the event. This cannot happen, and it would be unfair to Detroit and the Red Wings organization.

Per ESPN.com:

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The negotiations between the league, the City of Ann Arbor and the Red Wings are not completed. There is a definite sensitivity to making sure Detroit isn't left out in the cold, as it were, given the long-time loyalty shown the beleaguered city by the Ilitch family, which owns both the Red Wings and Tigers.

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The NHL must reward the Red Wings and the city of Detroit by having the Winter Classic at Comerica Park.

Comerica Park, where Major League Baseball's Detroit Tigers play, is no question the best venue for this game. With more than 40,000 seats at Comerica Park, there will be plenty of tickets for the league to sell for the Classic.

The surrounding hotels, restaurants and stores would really benefit from the huge revenue the Winter Classic generates for the host city. We all know the city of Detroit has been hit harder than most places in America during this tough economy, so there's no question that the city could use the economic boost.

Even though the Winter Classic at the "Big House" is awesome to think about and would no doubt be phenomenal for the fans, it isn't the right venue.

The Ilitch family owns both the Red Wings and Tigers and have been one of the best ownerships in sports for many years.

The league could sell more tickets for the game at the "Big House," which can hold over 100,000 people, but it would be a slap in the face to the Red Wings if this game was hosted outside the city.

No team deserves to host the Winter Classic more than the Red Wings, who have been the model franchise in hockey for about two decades.

For the NHL to host the 2013 Winter Classic away from Detroit is not only disrespectful to the Red Wings, but the league would rob the city of an event that would strongly help its struggling economy with the revenue the Classic generates.

Outdoor hockey at the "Big House" is fantastic for college games, but for the NHL Winter Classic it is the wrong venue, especially when the Detroit Red Wings are the host team.

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