"I keep a gas-powered leaf blower in the basement".
Carl? ...I'll just play through if you don't mind
There is still a lot of room behind it; on the base too. A shelf or two from legs to backboard? Trainbox storage, packrat allotment area, etc. ?
The weight may help make it even more stable as you ride it cheerfully around the basement with the leaf blower backwards over your shoulder; chanting "Come on streamliner". (ala Errol Flynn )
Watch for an old school, big cabinet, big screen projection tvs (I like Mitsubishi DLP ) (Craiglist free, usually many if you help carry, take etc.. but nearly as many "curb alerts" really.)
Grab the frame that holds the screens (can be a few) and pop it off (most are easy, for cleaning. Pry/butt with heel of hand). Thin sheets, very strong, kinda flexible. It possibly has a tinted layer too (UV light protection on DLP at least) sheets of clear cabinet plastic for "free".