Don Muret

SMG, the world’s biggest third-party manager of sports and entertainment facilities, is up for sale again, this time with a bit of intrigue: At least one competitor is barred from pursuing the business. Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke, whose company recently formed OVG Facilities after acquiring Pinnacle...

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In his role as senior vice president of fan experience at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Mike Gomes touches virtually every aspect of development at the $1.5 billion facility. Gomes spent 21 years at Disney Corp. before taking his first job in sports three years ago with AMB Sports & Entertainment...

T he Atlanta...

The Charlotte Hornets’ new team store gives the only NBA team wearing Jordan Brand uniforms a greater presence in a much better location. The new location is a retrofit of the old ticket office at Spectrum Center, facing the arena’s main concourse, and measures 4,200 square feet. It’s...

The Trail Blazers have signed Rank + Rally, Levy’s merchandise group, to run the retail operation at Moda Center. The multiyear agreement covers six locations at the Portland arena, including the NBA’s first stand-alone Nike team store and a New Era branded shop, plus four existing Rip City Clothing...

S cottrade...

The emergence of Las Vegas as a big league market drove MGM Resorts International’s decision to buy a WNBA team, its first pro sports franchise, according to company officials. Last week, the NBA announced that MGM Resorts had acquired the San Antonio Stars. The team will relocate to...

After taking a year off from playing stadiums, Kenny Chesney returns in '18 with an 18-date tour covering MLB, NFL and MLS venues. Chesney’s “Trip Around the Sun” route starts April 21 at Raymond James Stadium and concludes Aug. 24 at Gillette Stadium. Tour venues include Mapfre...

Sports teams remain in the early stages of the Big Data movement despite business intelligence groups in place across the big leagues. There is no quick fix for how teams use analytics to grow business and generate incremental revenue. Ultimately, it is a journey that takes time before teams...