(CelebrityAccess News Service) – Arena Ventures, the partnership between the NBA and Clear Channel Entertainment to bring minor-league basketball games and entertainment to the Roanoke (VA)Civic Center, has hit a sour note.
According to the contract, Clear Channel was to provide 28 days of entertainment events for the civic center coliseum each year. During the first year, Clear Channel presented 13 days of entertainment and wound up having to pay the city $105,000, reports the Roanoke Times.
The second year, October 2002 through September 2003, Clear Channel staged only 11 out of its 28-event deal, and owes the city $117,505. The events ranged from Cher and Kenny Chesney concerts to monster trucks and wrestling.
Still, City Manager Darlene Burcham told the paper it was still a positive move on the city's part to work with Clear Channel. Even though it has not been at the level they would've liked, she said it's better than it would have been.
Clear Channel had no comment. — Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner
