Proposal For NFL Cardinals Training Camp Move Includes Facility Management Deal

A proposal for the NFL Cardinals to conduct training camp in Glendale is "contingent upon the NFL team using fields that were built for youth sports," according to Paul Giblin of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. The proposed deal between the team and the city would allow the Cardinals to move their training camp from Northern Arizona Univ. in Flagstaff to an "air-conditioned balloon tent outside of University of Phoenix Stadium." But the move would "come at the expense of youth sports fields in Glendale for about a month a year." The team would conduct practice inside the $4M bubble for "about four weeks in July and August each year before the start of the regular NFL season." Glendale officials said that the tent "would be available to youth-sports leagues the rest of the year." Arizona Sports & Tourism Authority President Tom Sadler said that the "key advantage is that the bubble would ensure a controlled climate, protected from heat, cold and rain." According to the proposed deal with Glendale, the Cardinals would receive "additional benefits by moving the team’s training camp to the Youth Sports Complex." Glendale would pay the Cardinals "through a subsidiary, Rojo Entertainment Management, to operate the entire 13.6-acre complex year-round for 15 years." The city previously "paid a different management firm to run the complex but has managed it through the city Parks and Recreation Department for the past year." Glendale would pay Rojo $285,000 a year to "take over the management responsibilities." Rojo would "keep the first $150,000 in revenue from leases with outside groups to use the fields." Rojo and the city would "split any additional revenue from leases, with Rojo receiving" 80% and the city 20% (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 3/21).

OFFICE SPACE: In Richmond, Jacob Geiger noted there is "about 20,000 square feet of office space" available to lease on the second floor of the Redskins' new training camp building. Richmond Economic & Community Development Department Deputy Dir & COO Jane Ferrara said that the space is "open to all types of potential tenants." Ferrara and Redskins VP/Sales, Marketing & Strategic Alliances Scott Shepherd said that the training camp is "looking for additional corporate sponsors and business partners" (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 3/20). In Chicago, Jensen & Jahns noted the Bears' training camp contract with Olivet Nazarene Univ. expires this summer, and team President & CEO Ted Phillips said that he "doesn't see it being held at Halas Hall in the 'foreseeable future.'" He said, "I think the set up we have at ONU has served us well. ... We could not duplicate what we have at ONU in Lake Forest" (SUNTIMES.com, 3/20).