The Panthers played their first regular-season game at
the new National Car Rental Center on Friday. NHL
Commissioner Gary Bettman, on the arena: "It's a spectacular
arena. Well laid-out, spacious, comfortable. One of the
best in the league" (Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 10/12).
At the arena, 63 suites have been leased to individuals and
corporations for $70,000-$120,000. Six suites went to
sponsors of the arena and one suite went to Sunrise, FL,
which city leaders said that they "will use strictly to woo
developers and corporations" (MIAMI HERALD, 10/11). Also,
13 companies paid an estimated $750,000-$1M a year for
category sponsorships at the arena: National Car Rental,
BellSouth, Coca-Cola, Lexus, A-B, NationsBank, Lucent
Technologies, Cleveland Clinic, Geico, Seminole Indian
Tribe, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, U.S. Postal Service and
Pro Player (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 10/12 issue).
LOST SHAKER OF SALT: Gloria Estefan, Jimmy Buffett and
Magic Johnson "have signed letters of intent to build
signature commercial developments" next to the Heat's
American Airlines Arena. Estefan's Bongo Cuban Cafe,
Buffett's Margaritaville and Johnson's movie theater complex
are set to open in late '99/early '00 (SUN-SENTINEL, 10/12).
