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 BAA's Cleveland Rebels and Nick Mileti's NBA'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.
The facility was also a second home arena for the NBA Cincinnati Royals, who played more than 40 of their home games there, 1966-70. The Royals were crucial in spurring a NBA expansion team for Cleveland in 1970.
The arena was also the site of the Moondog Coronation Ball, considered the first rock and roll concert on March 21, 1952, organized by Alan Freed. The concert was shut down by the fire authorities due to overcrowding after the first song - it was estimated that 20,000 individuals were either in the arena or trying to enter it, when the capacity was roughly half that.
While the arena was a showpiece when it opened, by the time it closed in 1974 it had become decrepit and lacked adequate parking. It was replaced by the Coliseum at Richfield. It was demolished in 1977. The headquarters of the Cleveland Chapter of the American Red Cross now occupies the site.
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