No More Signs at the Delta Center: What's the Deal?

The Delta Center has a new rule: no signs allowed. This might seem odd, since signs have always been a big part of sports. Fans, especially kids, love making signs to catch the attention of players or the big screen. But the people in charge, Smith Entertainment Group, think this change is good for most fans. They haven't said exactly why they made this rule, but they want events to be fun for everyone. Instead of signs, they offer other ways to enjoy the games. Fans can take photos at special stations, have their birthdays announced, get free stickers, and even talk to players during warm-ups. But not everyone is happy about this change. Some fans feel like they weren't listened to. They think signs are a big part of sports culture. One fan remembers a young girl trading cookies for a signed stick because of her sign. That's a memory she'll never forget. Some fans are okay with the new rule. They like that their view won't be blocked and that controversial messages won't be shown. But they wish there were rules about signs instead of a total ban. This isn't the first arena to have a no-signs rule. Madison Square Garden has had one for a while. Other places have different rules, like limiting the size or content of signs. Smith Entertainment Group has thought about other options, but they're not planning to change the rule anytime soon.