Milwaukee was the center of the sports venue world last
week, and not because of the significant victory for the Brewers'
towards getting a new stadium. Co-sponsored by Marquette Law
School and Deloitte & Touche, the National Sports Institute
hosted a two-day conference covering the key venue issues facing
team and league execs, stadium owners and operators, state and
local government officials and concessionaires. The keynote was
delivered by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, who related his
league's dealings with cities in need of new arenas and those
seeking teams. Bettman said to watch for arenas becoming
"entertainment meccas" complete with high-tech attractions and
interactive features. Key themes from some of the other speakers
included the idea that there is no "cookie cutter approach" to
venue issues -- whether it is determining the best funding
package for renovation or construction or in negotiating lease
and concessions contracts. In addition, many stressed the need
for "public-private partnerships" for new construction, although
definitions differed (THE DAILY).
