BUFFALO
Bills negotiating lease early
The Buffalo Bills’ lease at Ralph Wilson Stadium expires July 31, 2013, and the team and Erie County officials have held preliminary talks, according to a report in The Buffalo News. Both the Bills and the county seem intent on bringing a third partner, New York State, to the table, to help pay for stadium renovations, according to the report.
CHICAGO
Pro softball facility going up
The Southern Bleacher Co., based in Graham, Texas, has been contracted to build Rosemont Field in suburban Rosemont, Ill. The venue would be a grandstand professional softball facility that would become the new home to the Chicago Bandits of National Pro Fastpitch. Completion is slated for June 1.
CINCINNATI
Reds see 10 percent ticket sales boost
The Cincinnati Reds’ earliest projections put ticket sales up 10 percent for 2011 — filling a total of 2.3 million seats, according to a report in The Cincinnati Enquirer. Additionally, about 20 percent of all season-ticket holders this year are new, according to the report.
CLEVELAND
Captains reach flagship agreement
The Lake County Captains, Class A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, reached an agreement with WELW 1330-AM to keep the station as their flagship radio home for the next three years. The station will air all regular-season and postseason Captains games, with the exception of Sunday games. WFUN 970-AM will carry Sunday games.
COLUMBUS
Jackets help launch ‘Young Scientist’
The Columbus Blue Jackets and pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim formed a new multiyear partnership. The centerpiece is presenting sponsorship of an educational initiative dubbed the Coolest Young Scientist program. The program rewards fourth-grade science classes from six Columbus public schools with Blue Jackets experiences. The partnership also includes in-arena signage and messaging.
Crew, WTVN extend radio deal
WTVN 610-AM will remain the Columbus Crew’s English-language radio home under the terms of a new three-year agreement. All 34 regular-season Crew games and every Crew playoff match will be broadcast live on the station. The new agreement also provides for 30-minute pregame and postgame shows.
DENVER
Credit union presenting Rapids season
Westerra Credit Union signed on as presenting sponsor of the Colorado Rapids until at least 2013. Denver-based Westerra has about 85,000 members and approximately $1.2 billion in assets.
GREEN BAY
Packers still planning upgrades
The Green Bay Packers are moving ahead with plans for new scoreboards at Lambeau Field despite the uncertainty of the 2011 NFL season. Jason Wied, Packers vice president of administration and general counsel, said the team would continue with a $14 million plan to upgrade the stadium’s two scoreboards along with its sound system.
HAGERSTOWN, MD.
Suns, WJEJ reach flagship deal
WJEJ 1240-AM will be the Hagerstown Suns’ flagship radio station for the 2011 season. The one-year agreement marks the third consecutive year the Suns will be carried on WJEJ. The Suns are a Class A affiliate of the Washington Nationals.
INDIANAPOLIS
Colts’ stadium needs piping repairs
Lucas Oil Stadium will partially close to events for four months to replace rusted and corroded steel piping, according to a report in The Indianapolis Star. John Klipsch, executive director of the Indiana Stadium & Convention Building Authority, said that the cost is expected to be covered by bonding, warranties and insurance.
MEMPHIS
City to seek loan for stadium upgrades
The city’s Division of Housing and Community Development may ask for a $25 million loan from the city’s Capital Improvement Program budget for improvements to the Mid-South Fairgrounds and Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, according to a report in The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal. The plans would include demolition of the Mid-South Coliseum and installation of new luxury suites and video screens.
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NBAE / GETTY IMAGES
With crowd benchmark reached, the team will slap hands through at least 2011-12. |
NEW ORLEANS
State to pay $7M to Hornets
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said the state expects to make a payment of more than $7 million to the New Orleans Hornets because the franchise isn’t projected to meet the benchmark revenue requirement in its lease agreement, according to a report in The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune. The Hornets did surpass an attendance benchmark average of 14,735 in January, ensuring that the team remains in New Orleans through the 2011-12 season.
NEW YORK
Jets partner with tech startup
The New York Jets have partnered with Pre Play Sports, a technology startup that designed a game for mobile phones that awards points to fans for predicting the outcome of each play as they watch a game. Company officials said the average Pre Play Sports player spends 40 minutes with the app, according to a report in The New York Times.
PHILADELPHIA
Union adds Comcast as TV partner
The Philadelphia Union added Comcast SportsNet and the Comcast Network to its family of local television partners. Comcast will air all Union games that are not televised nationally. Local ABC affiliate WPVI-TV continues in its second season as the Union’s official broadcast partner and will air seven of the team’s 34 total matches this season.
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CRAIG MITCHELLDYER / PORTLAND TIMBERS
From left: Jeld-Wen President and CEO Rod Wendt; Timbers President and owner Merritt Paulson; Jeld-Wen CMO Steve Wynne; and Portland Mayor Sam Adams. |
PORTLAND
Jeld-Wen naming Timbers’ stadium
The Portland Timbers’ stadium has been named Jeld-Wen Field following a deal between the team and the window and door manufacturer. PGE Park had been the name of the downtown Portland stadium, which is being renovated for the Timbers’ inaugural MLS season. The Timbers have their first home game on April 14, against Chicago.
SAN DIEGO
Chargers call lockout ‘force majeure’
A clause in the San Diego Chargers’ contract with the city of San Diego lets the team forgo paying its $2.5 million rent if a “force majeure event” prevents the team from using the stadium, according to a report in the Voice of San Diego. The term is used to describe a war, natural disaster, or other act of God that would keep a party from living up to its contract. The Chargers, according to the report, contend that the NFL lockout is a such an event. The mayor’s office reportedly was looking into the matter last week.
SAN JOSE
Quakes’ sponsor revenue up 30 percent
The San Jose Earthquakes signed a multiyear deal with Farmers Insurance and an additional multiyear deal with 7Up and Snapple. Earthquakes President David Kaval said the new partner signings, combined with expanded deals with Verizon, Xfiniti and restaurateur Bon Appetit Management Co., have pushed the team’s overall corporate partnership revenue up 30 percent from 2010.
WILLIAMSPORT, PA.
Russell, Little League go extra innings
Russell Athletic will continue to supply the team uniforms for the eight Little League Baseball and Softball World Series divisions as a result of the two organizations reaching a multiyear agreement. The renewal of the contract continues a relationship between Russell and Little League that dates back more than 30 years.
WORCESTER, MASS.
Sharks staying on Worcester ice
The AHL Worcester Sharks will stay in town for at least two more years under an extension of their license agreement. Silicon Valley Sports and Entertainment, owner of the team and its NHL parent club, the San Jose Sharks, exercised its option to extend its license agreement with SMG and the city.
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