Orlando City SC is "reaching out to bars and restaurants across Central Florida, trying to give fans a first-rate experience even when the team isn't in town," according to Kyle Arnold of the ORLANDO SENTINEL. Orlando City VP/Marketing Teresa Tatlonghari said, "There are certain types of locations that once the fall hits, American football is all that's playing. We pick bars that have a general feel our fans would enjoy." Arnold noted six establishments "have been picked for the 'City Pub' official affiliation with the team," and pub owners "say it's bringing in fans and sales, especially for televised away games." Three "are downtown: Shine, Elixir and Harry Buffalo." The Hammered Lamb in Ivanhoe Village "is also a part of the program, as well as Hagan O'Reilly's in Winter Garden and Liam Fitzpatrick's Irish Restaurant in Lake Mary." The soccer club "doesn't charge a cash fee for the City Pub affiliation, but they do require pubs to purchase an allotment of season tickets." Tatlonghari "declined to say what that number is." But she said that City Pubs "is an outreach program, not a sales vehicle." Arnold noted many bars and restaurants in the area "have unofficially adopted Orlando City" since its first MLS game in March '15 (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 6/4).
LATIN FLAVOR: SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's Thomas & Muret report Orlando City has "signed Spectra to a five-year food services deal for the team's 25,000-seat stadium, opening next year." The deal includes a "commitment to community programs and local hiring, as well as Spectra's understanding of the logistics of food management as it relates to soccer." As part of its Orlando operation, Spectra officials "plan to incorporate a Latin flavor into menus" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 6/6 issue).
