Editor's note: This story is revised from the print edition.
BOSTON
 |
At TD Garden, from left: Massachusetts State Lottery Executive Director Paul Sternburg, Heroes Among Us nominees Katelyn Rice and Alyssa Rice, Celtics President Rich Gotham, Ryan Rice and Amy Rice.
Photo by: BRIAN BABINEAU
|
Celtics, Lottery extend deal
The Boston Celtics and the Massachusetts State Lottery are extending their partnership, which includes keeping the lottery as the presenting sponsor of the team’s Heroes Among Us program for the seventh year. A new component to the partnership is that fans will be able to submit nominations for the Heroes award on www.celtics.com.
Frozen Fenway adds up to $28M impact
The 16 days of Sun Life Frozen Fenway games held in early January helped inject millions of dollars into Boston and the region’s visitor economy. With more than 80,000 tickets sold for high school and college hockey games, and more than 10,000 attendees at the free hockey and public skating events, the total spending impact for the region is estimated at $28.8 million, according to the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau.
CLEVELAND
New taco eatery open at The Q
Cleveland chef Rocco Whalen has teamed with the Cleveland Cavaliers and concessionaire Aramark to open Rocco’s Nachos & Tacos at Quicken Loans Arena. Located at Section 110 on The Q’s main concourse, Rocco’s is open during Cavs games and a majority of arena events.
COLUMBUS
NHL all-stars coming to town
The Columbus Blue Jackets and the city of Columbus will host the 2013 NHL All-Star Game. It marks the first time the NHL’s all-star activities will take place in Columbus, and it also makes Columbus the third consecutive first-time all-star host city. Raleigh in 2011 and Ottawa this year were also first-time hosts.
DETROIT
TEAMS event slated for city
This year’s TEAMS Conference & Expo, organized by SportsTravel magazine, will be held Oct. 1-4 in Detroit at the Cobo Conference & Exhibition Center. Established in 1998, TEAMS — Travel, Events and Management in Sports — is regarded as the world’s largest annual conference and trade show for global sports event organizers.
HOUSTON
Mazda sponsoring Dynamo, stadium
Mazda signed a long-term sponsorship agreement to become the official vehicle of the Houston Dynamo and a founding partner of BBVA Compass Stadium, which opens May 12. Mazda becomes the first of 10 planned founding partners for the venue. As part of the deal, there will be a preferred Mazda parking area at the stadium.
KANSAS CITY
Kauffman Stadium installing solar panels
The Kansas City Royals will install 120 solar panels on the outfield canopy spanning the foul poles at Kauffman Stadium. The project is tied to the Royals’ partnership with local utility company K.C. Power & Light. Kauffman Stadium will be in the spotlight this season as the host of the 2012 MLB All-Star Game.
Royals all-star wants runners
Five-time Royals all-star Mike Sweeney has created the “Sween Team” to spur participation in this year’s MLB All-Star Game Charity 5K & Fun Run presented by Nike, scheduled for July 8. Fans can register at www.allstar5k-mlb.com/sweenteam. MLB will donate all net proceeds from the event to three charities supporting cancer research and awareness.
LAS VEGAS
Wynn to host NHL awards show
The NHL’s annual awards program is returning to Las Vegas this year, June 20, as part of a new multiyear deal signed with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. The Wynn Las Vegas will be this year's site. The event has been held at The Palms since 2009.
MIAMI
Dolphins may lower some ticket prices
Miami Dolphins CEO Mike Dee said the team will not increase any ticket prices and might lower some prices for the 2012 season, according to a Miami Herald report. The Dolphins sold just under 44,000 season tickets in 2011, their lowest since 1984 and down from 61,000 in 2006.
NEWARK, N.J.
Nets mark anniversary with scholarship
In recognition of the New Jersey Nets’ 35-year history in New Jersey, the team will award the $35,000 Nets Foundation Appreciation Scholarship to three students from New Jersey who attend an accredited college or university in New Jersey in the 2012-13 school year. The scholarship award will be divided among the three students based on academics and community service.
NEW YORK
 |
The new agreement extends a partnership that has lasted for nearly two decades.
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
|
Canon extends with Yankees, MSG
Canon extended its sponsorship deals with both the New York Yankees and Madison Square Garden. Canon will sponsor the Yankees through 2014 and the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium through 2013. At Madison Square Garden, the Canon logo will be displayed on a pair of dasherboards during New York Rangers regular-season games and any first-round playoff games for the team.
PENSACOLA, FLA.
Wahoos reach broadcast deal
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos have partnered with Pensacola Sports Radio to carry all broadcasts of the club’s inaugural season this year. All 140 regular-season games and any postseason broadcasts will be carried on ESPN affiliates 1450 AM and 101.1 FM, as well as ESPNPensacola.com. The Blue Wahoos are the Class AA affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.
PHILADELPHIA
Union partners with Costa Rica team
The MLS Philadelphia Union and Costa Rica’s Deportivo Saprissa formed a partnership that will focus on player development and training methodology, as well as best practices in commercial, stadium and financial operations. The agreement includes a youth technical staff and player exchange program, as well as a yearly soccer clinic in both Philadelphia and San Jose, Costa Rica.
PPL Park to welcome all-stars
PPL Park was selected to host the 2012 MLS All-Star Game on July 25. The 18,500-seat venue, home of the MLS Union, will see a team of MLS stars play against an international team still to be determined.
Xfinity opening in time for Bruce
Comcast-Spectacor said it plans to open Xfinity Live! Philadelphia a week earlier than previously announced. The dining and entertainment complex will now open in time for the March 28-29 Bruce Springsteen concerts at the nearby Wells Fargo Center. Concert ticket holders will have exclusive access to Xfinity Live! on both dates.
SACRAMENTO
Arena group brings in advisers
Sacramento’s arena committee has brought on three local strategic advisers who have significant experience as political consultants. Brian Brokaw of Brian Brokaw Consulting, and Aaron McLear and Josh Ginsberg of The Ginsberg McLear Group, join the effort to build a downtown arena to house the Sacramento Kings.
ST. LOUIS
Commission: ‘Home’ games stay home
The St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission said that the St. Louis Rams cannot play home games more than 4,000 miles away in London under the terms of their lease, according to a St. Louis Post-Dispatch report. The CVC contends that the Rams’ plan to play one home game at London’s Wembley Stadium each year for the next three seasons would violate the team’s 30-year lease of the Edward Jones Dome.
 |
For the first time in Topps’ history, a player’s card does not feature the player’s face.
|
Rally Squirrel featured in Topps set
Topps released Series 1 of its 2012 baseball card set, and St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Skip Schumaker’s right foot is the only part of his body featured on his card. Instead, the much renowned Rally Squirrel is the focus of Schumaker’s card. It was while Schumaker was batting during Game 4 of the National League Division Series that the squirrel ran onto the Busch Stadium field.
Send your Coast to Coast news to: CoastToCoast@sportsbusinessjournal.com or phone (704) 973-1436.
