ERA and TURNKEY SPORTS join forces
Economics Research Associates (ERA) and Turnkey Sports (Washington, D.C.), recently announced an ongoing joint venture partnership in the area of sports facility feasibility. The firms will work together and combine their current practice groups to better service their sports facility feasibility clients. The joint venture has already been selected: by the University of California at Berkeley for work connected to improvements to Memorial Stadium; by the University of Iowa to complete a market study for renovations to Kinnick Stadium; by Ripken Baseball for general ongoing advisory work; and by a group seeking to attract an NBA franchise; among others.
"ERA is often recognized for our work on very large projects-destinations like Disney World or urban challenges such as the redevelopment of Lower Manhattan. But sports facilities have always been an important part of our work. Turnkey Sports strengthens us in sports - they've got 20 years of hands on experience in sports," said Patrick Phillips, President of ERA. "We looked at the market and saw a void. Too many sports projects have failed to capitalize on their surrounding development opportunities. We now deliver both pieces," said Len Perna, President of Turnkey Sports.
ERA and Turnkey Sports, respectively, have each been producing highly skilled feasibility studies for years for the sports and entertainment industry. On a combined basis, ERA/Turnkey Sports has more than 60 years of experience in the sports and entertainment sector with more than 3,000 collective engagements in the industry. The ERA/Turnkey Sports joint venture delivers distinct advantages to clients in sports and entertainment:
* Since ERA's first feasibility study for Walt Disney in 1958 the firm has been the leader in feasibility studies for destination attractions; urban entertainment; mixed use and retail developments.
* Turnkey Sports delivers more than 20 years of hands on operations and management experience from previously running major league & minor league teams; stadiums; arenas; amphitheaters, theaters and more.
* The joint venture partnership backs its examination-level feasibility work by making it available for inclusion in offering statements and other key financing documents.
Economics Research Associates is an international consulting firm focused on economic analysis for the entertainment and leisure industry, real estate development, public-policy analysis, tourism, and economic development. Since its founding in 1958, ERA has completed over 15,000 assignments, working in all 50 states and over 45 countries. In broad terms, ERA assists private developers and public agencies in assessing the future economics and outcomes of real estate projects and economic development strategies. ERA has long been the worldwide feasibility leader in major destination projects including: Walt Disney World, Universal Studios & Universal Studios Japan, Warner Brothers Movie World, Virgin Entertainment, Star Trek Experience, Colonial Williamsburg, Graceland, Kennedy Space Center, Paramount Parks, Sea World, Tivoli Gardens, Tokyo Disneyland, LEGOLAND, Madame Tussaud's, Port Aventura, Mall of America, Baltimore's Inner Harbor, Pointe*Orlando, Third Street Promenade, the Staples Center, the PGA Hall of Fame, the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games, etc.
Turnkey Sports is a recent spin-off of The Goal Group, and focuses its business on new facility feasibility, custom market research, and staffing solutions for sports and live entertainment properties. Turnkey Sports dates back to 1985 when its founder and President, Len Perna, began providing legal counsel to ESPN. The principals of Turnkey Sports have more than 20 years of collective hands-on experience in their operation of major league teams, minor league teams, and sports and entertainment venues of all sizes. Turnkey Sports recently completed the deal to relocate the Grizzlies to Memphis and currently is working on the deal to restructure the lease for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
ERA and Turnkey Sports will operate the joint venture partnership from their current offices in Los Angeles and Washington, DC. ERA also maintains offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Chicago, Dallas, London and New York. Turnkey Sports maintains offices in New York and Washington, DC.
On November 25, 2002, the Sports Business Journal (SBJ) ran a full page advertisement.
The SBJ full page Advertisement in PDF format can be viewed.
A partial listing of recent sports business feasibility projects served independently by ERA and Turnkey Sports includes:
American Airlines Center
| Denver Broncos
|
Arena Football Franchise
| Detroit Tigers
|
Arlington County
| Fox Theater
|
California Angels
| Hillsborough County
|
California State University, Fresno
| Los Angeles Arena Company
|
City of Anaheim
| Los Angeles Dodgers
|
City of Atlanta
| Meadow Brook Music Theater
|
City of Baltimore
| National Football League
|
City of Dallas
| National Hockey League
|
City of Glendale, AZ
| NHL Franchise
|
City of Henderson
| Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
|
City of Houston
| Philadelphia Eagles
|
City of Inglewood, CA
| Pittsburgh Penguins
|
City of Lake Elsinore
| Portland (OR) Sports Authority
|
City of Las Vegas
| Purdue University
|
City of Louisville
| Rose Bowl
|
City of Memphis
| Sacramento Kings
|
City of Oklahoma City
| San Francisco 49ers
|
City of Sacramento
| Second City Theater
|
City of San Diego
|
| Skydome Corporation
|
City of Savannah, GA
|
| Texas Rangers
|
City of Seattle
|
| Union Pacific Railroad Company
|
City of Springfield, MA
|
| University of Texas
|
City of Springfield, MO
|
| Virginia Baseball Stadium Authority
|
City of Stockton, CA
|
| Western Kentucky University
|
City of Vancouver, WA
|
|
|
Contact Information:
| Jeff Cohen
| Len Perna
|
| Director, Sports Facilities Consulting
| President and CEO
|
| 10990 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1500
| Turnkey Sports
|
| Los Angeles, CA 90024
| 12760 Hall Shop Road
|
| Phone: (310)477-9585
| Highland, MD 20777-9547
|
| Fax: (310)478-1950
| Phone: (301) 854-1650
|
| email:Jeff Cohen
| Fax: (301) 854-1651
|
| Email:Len Perna
|
| Web Site: www.turnkeysports.com
|
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