The Orioles, seeking to "maximize their lease" at Camden Yards, are "breaking with more than 25 years of team tradition by holding a concert" at the ballpark on July 26 featuring Billy Joel, according to a front-page piece by Meoli, Barker & Mirabella of the BALTIMORE SUN. Thursday's announcement marked the "beginning of a partnership between Orioles Entertainment and the concert promoter Live Nation." Orioles Exec VP John Angelos said that the partnership was "years in the making and will add Camden Yards to the local stable of concert venues." The concert "marks a reversal of more than two decades of tradition" under Angelos family ownership. Orioles Chair & CEO Peter Angelos "expressed concern over the years about the potential effect of concerts on the field, and doubted whether the economics made sense." The economics "now seem to make more sense" to Peter's sons John Angelos and team Ownership Rep Lou Angelos, who have "taken more control of the team’s day-to-day operations amid their 89-year-old father's health struggles." The Orioles "saw attendance wane last year," but concerts and other events "could generate revenue to make up for lost ticket sales." Under the terms of the lease for such events, the Orioles and Maryland Stadium Authority will "split all revenue and expenses equally, after the entertainer's take." For many years, a concert at Camden Yards "simply didn't make sense for the Orioles." Under the team's initial lease, it "wouldn't share in any profits from concerts and non-baseball events the stadium authority booked for the ballpark, but the team also could veto such events" (BALTIMORE SUN, 1/11).
OPEN FOR BUSINESS: In Baltimore, Amanda Yeager noted opening Camden Yards to concerts is the "latest advance for the Orioles organization, which has seen a number of shifts" as John and Lou Angelos have "taken on a more prominent role in managing the team." About 37,000 tickets "will be available" for the Billy Joel show. Camden Yards has 45,971 seats in all, but "some will have to be taken out of service for the show because sightlines will be blocked by the stage." Nearby M&T Bank Stadium has "held multiple concerts over the years" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 1/10).
MAKING THE ROUNDS: In Ft. Worth, Robert Philpot notes Joel will play the "final concert at Globe Life Park" before the Rangers move to Globe Life Field in '20. Concerts on his '19 tour have "already been announced" at Chase Field, Petco Park, T-Mobile Park, PNC Park, Citizens Bank Park, Nationals Park, Coors Field, Fenway Park and Wrigley Field (Ft. Worth STAR-TELEGRAM, 1/11).
