LONDON (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Global Spectrum is looking to become a major contender in the European stadium & arena management business, including taking a shot at the facilities planned for the forthcoming 2012 Olympic games in London.
To position themselves, Global Spectrum has teamed with the NEC Group to launch a new joint venture entitled Global Spectrum Europe which will be looking at possible partnership and financing opportunities for sports facility construction in Europe. The NEC Group operates several major venues in the UK, including National Exhibition Centre and NIA Arena.
Global Spectrum Europe will be sailing into contested seas as their main competitors, AEG and SMG, are already quite active in the European market, already operating a combined total of 13 major sports venues. Still, Global Spectrum apparently sees opportunities and they are betting that their minority partner's NEC's familiarity with the major players in the European sports scene and experience will bear dividends in the end.
"If you look at where sports is going, we're following the major championships," Mich Sauers, president of Global Spectrum Europe told the Sports Business Journal "The NEC knows all the players in Europe. We now have the resources, manpower and capital, and are big enough and strong enough to do this."
Obviously, the Olympic venues for the 2012 games are the most enticing plum but Global Spectrum will also be looking into vying for stadium renovations in Poland and the Ukraine and a new stadium in the works in Instanbul in preperation for the 2010 FIBA World Championships. Global Spectrum's expansion may be assisted by their two big league NBA teams, the Sixers and the Flyers. Both teams would be open to opportunities to play games at Global Spectrum-managed venues, reflecting an interest by the National Basketball Association at scheduling regular-season games abroad. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
