In Cleveland, Joel Hammond reported the Indians are “gauging customers' opinions of a new premium lounge at Progressive Field that would continue the team's repurposing of the stadium's suites.” A survey sent to premium ticket buyers included a proposed lounge that “would encompass about eight suites.” The survey noted that it would seat “80 to 100 and, unlike the team's club level, would include views of the field from dining areas.” Indians Senior Communications Dir Curtis Danburg said the lounge concept is "in its infancy and the team is simply testing the waters" (CRAINSCLEVELAND.com, 6/4).
SKATING GARDEN: U.S. Figure Skating yesterday named Boston the host city for its '14 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The event will be held Jan. 5-12 at TD Garden and serve as the final qualifying event prior to the selection of the U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Team for the Sochi Games (Tripp Mickle, SportsBusiness Journal).
WE CAN HANDLE THIS FROM HERE: Franklin County (Ohio) Convention Facilities Authority Exec Dir Bill Jennison, whose company owns Nationwide Arena, said that his board is “dedicated to transparency for the private group that will operate the facility.” But Jennison “stopped short" of saying that the operating group, which also includes representatives of Ohio State Univ., the Blue Jackets and Nationwide, "would commit to open meetings.” Jennison said that all the decisions “on improvements and upkeep of the arena, such as a planned $5.5 million for a high-definition scoreboard, will be handled through the facilities authority, and thus be approved and documented in open meetings” (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 6/5).
GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE... In Las Vegas, Benjamin Spillman notes Int'l Development Management President & CEO Chris Milam “took a step toward acquiring the land he needs to build a major sports and entertainment venue” in Henderson, Nev. Milam's Silver State Land on Monday was “the winning bidder in the auction of about 480 acres of Bureau of Land Management property near M Resort” after submitting a $10.5M bid. Henderson Dir of Utility Services Dennis Porter said that for the city “to consider issuing bonds it would need a commitment from an NBA team and other events that could generate enough revenue to repay the debt.” Spillman noted the Henderson proposal is “one of at least three potential stadium projects in the Las Vegas area” (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 6/5).
