Facility Notes
In S.F., Matier & Ross report the Warriors, under a ten-year, $30M arena naming-rights
deal with Oracle, will have to “step up to help market the Oracle brand.” Also,
the city of Oakland and Alameda County, which own the arena, “will have to pick
up some of the marketing costs — including a luxury box for [Oracle CEO]
Larry Ellison, new signs and promotional tickets.” There has been “speculation
that Ellison may have a back-door deal with financially pressed Warriors [Owner]
Chris Cohan for a cut of the team’s ownership.” But a source said, “There’s no
handshake, wink or side deal –- it’s strictly a naming rights and sponsorship
deal” (S.F. CHRONICLE, 10/25).
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IFL Inks Revenue-Sharing Deal
With William Morris Agency
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ON THE RIGHT TRACK: In Boston, Scott Van Voorhis reports Delaware North
Cos. has partnered with Empire Racing, a group that includes Magna Entertainment
Corp. and Churchill Downs, “on a blockbuster bid to take control” of franchise
to operate Saratoga, Belmont and Aqueduct horse tracks. Delaware North Exec VP
Charlie Jacobs: “It’s an opportunity. We are horsemen first and foremost. That
is our first love” (BOSTON HERALD, 10/25).
FIGHT CLUB: SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL’s Don Muret reports the Int’l Fight
League (IFL) has signed a revenue-sharing contract with the William Morris Agency
to book its events at arenas in ’07 and “explore media marketing opportunities.”
IFL co-Founder & CEO Gareb Shamus said that WMA is “limited to booking IFL dates
in the 32 states where mixed martial arts is now licensed” (SBJ,
10/23 issue).
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