The NBA Kings have signed a long-term deal with Legends Hospitality to run all food service at the team’s $477M downtown arena set to open in October '16. Legends President & COO Shervin Mirhashemi said the agreement for the 17,500-seat arena runs more than five years. Levy Restaurants, the other finalist, will continue running concessions and premium dining at Sleep Train Arena, the Kings’ current home. For both the Kings and Legends, driving the partnership was a commitment to sustainability and an extensive farm-to-fork program tied to the arena. In a market where agriculture contributes $45B to the state of California’s economy, officials said 90% of food and drink will be locally sourced within 150 miles of the new facility. More than 740 farmers producing beef, pork, poultry, cheeses, olive oil, craft beers and wines will participate in the program. The Kings are scheduled to announce their new food provider on Friday at Soil Born Farms, a leader in promoting urban agriculture and one of the new arena’s vendors. Kings President Chris Granger said, “We were focused on this (movement) from the very beginning, to make sure we represent the best of Sacramento’s food culture. It will be a spectacular utilization of our marketplace and I applaud Legends having create the network.’’ Mirhashemi: “This needs to be our calling card in a region supported by the farming industry and the hundreds of thousands of jobs that go with it.” Legends' Michael Tuohy, who will be exec chef for new arena, comes from the LowBrau Bierhall & Block Butcher Bar, a local restaurant where he filled the same role. Tuohy will serve on a advisory council with Sacramento restauranteurs Patrick Mulvaney, Randy Paragary and Randall Selland to ensure the concessionaire remains committed to the sustainability program. Separately, the Kings have established a partnership with the National Resources Defense Council and the Green Sports Alliance to execute a comprehensive food-to-waste program. The Kings are Legends first NBA client.
