LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — The Gridiron Stadium Network, an affiliation of NFL and soccer stadium operators, has scheduled a strong lineup of events for 2007 at its member venues, it was announced today by Steve Eckerson, Chairman of the Gridiron Stadium Network and Director of Event Sales and Operations for Qwest Field in Seattle.
A principal goal of the Gridiron Stadium Network is to optimize opportunities for promoters and welcome new audiences to its members’ stadiums. “We’re very pleased to see an increase in the number of live entertainment and event bookings at our member stadiums for this season,” said Eckerson.
Jeff Apregan, who has produced, promoted and managed live entertainment events throughout North America for over twenty-five years, noted that “these stadiums are excellent venues for live entertainment,” including concerts, motor sports, festivals and corporate functions. Promoters also benefit from the versatility of the large GSN venues, which offer multiple configurations and performance spaces and provide miles of parking for event attendees.
GSN venues can help provide promoters and producers with enormous marketing support, including huge databases, supplemental marketing vehicles and knowledgeable staffing, critical for promoters.
An April 1 Wrestlemania 23 event at GSN venue Ford Field sold 80,103 tickets, the all-time attendance record for Ford Field and the highest grossing one-day live event in World Wresting Entertainment history, grossing more than $5.38 million.
Among the events already announced by the member venues of the Gridiron Stadium Network for 2007 are engagements such as Kenny Chesney’s Flip Flop Summer Tour (featuring Brooks & Dunn, Sugarland, Sara Evans and Pat Green) at Heinz Field, Lincoln Financial Field, Qwest Field and Ford Field; the NOPI Drift Series at Dolphin Stadium, Home Depot Center, Heinz Field and Toyota Park; The Police at Dolphin Stadium; dates at Toyota Park for Dave Matthews Band Summer Tour and the Crossroads Guitar Festival; the Acquire the Fire Christian youth event at Ford Field; and the 2007 Macy’s Music Festival (featuring Mary J. Blige, The O’Jays, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Brian McKnight, Boney James and Jonathan Butler) at Paul Brown Stadium.
