Meet Cincinnati's MSA Design: The firm behind many sports stadiums and practice facilities

The name Bill Baker might not be familiar to the average Cincinnatian, but any sports fan can look around and see how the architect and the design firm where he is the managing partner, MSA Design, plays a crucial role in local sports.

The firm builds arenas, stadiums and practice facilities nationwide and here in Greater Cincinnati.

Baker and MSA Design were the design advisors for Hamilton County on Great American Ball Park. They designed FC Cincinnati's Mercy Health Training Center and the under-construction University of Cincinnati indoor practice and performance facility.

So what's the magic elixir when building any of the above, and in particular, a practice facility in 2024?

"You have to have a wow factor," Baker said. "You know, you're bringing in teenagers to these facilities and you're trying to wow them to come to these universities for the education and for the quality of the program."

The wow factor for the indoor facility at UC is that it will serve as an “architectural gateway” to campus that is a "home" to the entire athletics program, Baker said.

The facility offers:

• A ground floor with work areas for training, including the practice field, strength and conditioning areas. Plus, athletic training and rehab areas, along with and locker room facilities.
• Floors above have reception areas featuring sports nutrition, a dining space, a team auditorium and position meeting areas.
• State-of-the-art office suites for collaboration, meeting and training.

MSA Design is the lead architect and team leader. San Francisco-based Gensler is an associate architect on the project.

Baker joined The Enquirer's "That's So Cincinnati" podcast to talk about his work as managing partner of MSA Design, where he oversees the Sport division, the relaunching of the Greater Cincinnati Sports Events Commission aimed at bringing sporting events to the region and his opinion about whether Cincinnati needs a new arena. (Spoiler alert: It does.)

Baker is involved in the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber's arena study. While Baker didn't spill any secrets, he said he believes it is time for a new arena.

"Heritage Bank Arena has served the city well," Baker said. "It does a lot of great events. But it was built at a time when arenas were done differently. And so there's been a desire to have a new, modern arena in the city."

Miss last week's episode? No problem. Listen here. Follow Cincinnati.com editor Beryl Love on X @beryllove and City Hall reporter Sharon Coolidge @SharonCoolidge.