(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Global Spectrum, the fastest growing firm in the public assembly management field, and their partner International Facilities Group (IFG), were selected unanimously by the Arizona Tourism and Sports Authority to manage all phases of the new 63,000-seat future stadium for the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, AZ. From the project's initial development phase to complete facility operations, both companies will team up to facilitate the completion of the Arizona Cardinals new stadium in time for the team's 2006 National Football League season. The new stadium will also host Superbowl XLII in February 2008.
Global Spectrum, a subsidiary of the Philadelphia-based sports and entertainment firm Comcast-Spectacor, was selected as the top firm to handle the pre-opening and management of the stadium. Global Spectrum, who will open Citizens Bank Park, the new home of Major League Baseball's Philadelphia Phillies this weekend, will also secure additional events for the Cardinals Stadium, including concerts, consumer and trade shows, soccer, motor sports, festivals and other unique events. At its other facilities, Global Spectrum has experience in hosting major events, including the 2000 Republican National Convention, NCAA Final Fours and Regionals, as well as All-Star Games for the National Basketball League and National Hockey League.
The Authority's evaluation team, headed by Board Member William H. Peltier, conducted extensive interviews, visited facilities throughout the United States and thoroughly researched all of the management companies bidding on the Cardinals Stadium. The result of the committee's exhaustive search was a recommendation to TSA Chairman John Benton that Global Spectrum is the ideal management company for the new stadium. Global Spectrum was selected as the management company by the TSA Board in a unanimous vote at their meeting on March 30.
IFG, a full-service company designed to provide the key strategic planning, project development and management services essential to the creation and operations of today's state-of-the-art sports and entertainment facilities, will oversee all pre-opening phases including, design, construction consulting, project coordination and operational start-up. IFG will also support Global Spectrum with operations and bookings, and serve as a key component of the executive committee.
"We will make this new facility our crown jewel and one that will be the pride of the entire State of Arizona, as well as one that will be envied throughout the NFL," said Global Spectrum Chairman Peter Luukko. "We are very excited to begin working with the Arizona Tourism and Sports Authority, the Arizona Cardinals and the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl as we begin to secure events and attractions for this beautiful new stadium."
"This is a significant day for everyone at Global Spectrum," added Global Spectrum President Michel Sauers. "Many of our senior management have worked in major stadiums throughout the world and we're very excited to align our company with the Cardinals Stadium as the premiere stadium on our facility roster."
"The Global Spectrum team demonstrated a shared vision for the use and marketability of the new Cardinals Stadium," said TSA President Ted Ferris "The demonstrated that they understand the uniqueness of the design and the flexibility of our facility for a wide range of events. We are excited for them to joins us on the project."
"IFG and Global Spectrum make a dynamic team, which will empower the Arizona Tourism and Sports Authority to make their vision, creating the premier state-of-the-art sports stadium of its size, become reality," states IFG Managing Member Michael Reinsdorf. "We look forward to working with Global Spectrum and the TSA on this tremendous opportunity."
The Cardinals Stadium sits on 165 acres and is immediately adjacent to the new Glendale Arena, home of the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League. Its critically acclaimed design by world-renowned architect Peter Eisenman, along with HOK Sport, will become a landmark facility for Arizona. The basic form of the design takes its cue from a barrel cactus and offers alternating vertical slots with smooth panels. In addition, the translucent "Bird-Air" fabric roof will allow the stadium to have an open, airy feel even when the roof is closed. The roof has two large retractable panels that will uncover the entire playing field while providing maximum shading for fans. The roof can be closed and the facility air conditioned in the hot months, while the roof can be opened to take advantage of the Valley's world-famous climate in cooler months.
The new stadium also features North America's first retractable playing surface, which will store the natural grass field in an outdoor setting to allow the stadium to host numerous concerts, consumer and trade shows, exhibitions, dirt shows and motor vehicle events. With the retractable field outside, the stadium will feature a 10,000-square-foot slab-on-grade concrete floor that incorporates a full utility grid. Construction of the stadium began in July of 2003 and will be completed in August of 2006. — Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
