ASM Global to manage Baltimore venue
Venue management giant ASM Global has added Baltimore’s Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric (2,565-cap.) to its expanding portfolio.
The Modell Lyric joins recent ASM additions the Gateshead Quays (12,500-cap.) in the UK the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium (23,000-cap.) in Ohio, USA. ASM Global also holds a 25% stake in Australian stadium operator VenuesLive.
ASM Global, which formed as the result of a mega-merger between AEG Facilities and SMG, has a five-year agreement with the Lyric Foundation for management of the Baltimore venue. An Outback Concerts-promoted Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band show will be the first to take place under ASM’s management on 16 and 17 June 2020.
“We are excited to welcome the Lyric to the ASM Global family of performing arts centres,” says Bob Newman, president and CEO of ASM Global. “We have a long and successful history in Baltimore at the Royal Farms Arena (14,000-cap.) and more recently at MECU Pavilion (4,400-cap.).
“ASM Global understands the Lyric’s vision and mission”
“The Lyric further expands our portfolio in the region and compliments the other two facilities, enabling us to better serve our patrons, promoters and partners in the area.”
“We are happy that our first booking at the Lyric is Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band,” adds Bob Papke, vice president of theatres for ASM Global. “The Modell Lyric is an incredible venue and we look forward to bringing a variety of artists and attractions to the theater.”
John Denick, chair of the Lyric Foundation comments that ASM Global “understand[s] the Lyric’s vision and mission.
“They represent a great opportunity for growth, and we look forward to a long and successful relationship,” says Denick.
The Modell Lyric, a not-for-profit performing arts centre serving the greater Baltimore area, has hosted acts including Aretha Franklin, Robbie Williams, Chris Rock, Diana Ross, Santana and the Grateful Dead.
Tickets for the Ringo Starr show go on sale at 10 a.m. EST today (Friday 15 November) here.
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Tom Benson Stadium latest addition to ASM portfolio
ASM Global has added the second venue to its extensive portfolio since its inauguration earlier this month, announcing a management agreement for the 23,000-capacity Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Ohio.
The venue operator, which formed as the result of a merger between AEG Facilities and SMG Europe, has signed a deal with Hof Village, the owner of the Johnsons Controls Hall of Fame Village entertainment complex, where the stadium is located.
“This wonderful venue is located within one of the most important places for pro football fans anywhere in the world,” says Bob Newman, president and CEO of ASM Global. “ASM Global’s management of this special and unique facility is an exciting addition to our family of venues.”
ASM Global’s Blake Schilling has been named as the stadium’s general manager. Schilling will also continue to oversee operations at ASM Global’s nearby Canton Civic Center (5,200-cap.).
“We will ensure that the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium is not only a great football stadium but a spectacular concert venue as well”
“ASM Global is a world-class company that will help us provide the highest quality of operation and service to our fans,” comments HOF Village LLC chief commercial officer Ed Kiernan.
“We are pleased to bring on board a company of their calibre as we expand the programming in Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, ensuring that it is not only a great football stadium but a spectacular concert venue as well.”
ASM Global manages 22 other major stadiums around the world, including Soldier Field in Chicago (61,500-cap.), Mercedes Benz Superdome in New Orleans (74,295-cap.), Sydney’s ANZ Stadium (83,500-cap.) and the NRG Stadium in Houston (72,220-cap.).
The Tom Benson Hall of Fame stadium is the second addition to the ASM Global portfolio in as many weeks, following the recently announced Gateshead Quays (12,500-cap.) venue complex in the UK.
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ASM Global to operate new £260m venue complex
ASM Global will be the venue management provider for a new £260 million arena, conference and exhibition centre on Gateshead Quays in Newcastle, as the operator further expands its UK footprint.
ASM Global, the result of a merger between SMG Facilities and AEG Facilities today (11 October) cleared by the UK’s Competitions and Markets Authority, has signed a long-term agreement with developer Ask Real Estate and investor Patrizia to operate the 12,500-capacity venue.
It is estimated that the ten-acre Gateshead complex, due to open by 2023, will generate £30m for the economy and attract up to 300,000 new visitors to the region each year. Global architecture firm Hok has been appointed to design to new arena.
“We are thrilled to have selected ASM Global as our operator,” comments Ask Real Estate MD John Hughes.
“ASM Global have a global reputation for excellence and their experience will be key in helping us to develop what will be one of Europe’s key cultural locations”
“They have a global reputation for excellence and their experience will be key in helping us to develop what will be one of Europe’s key cultural locations. We have been working closely with them to ensure the arena will be able to accommodate the rapid advances in sound and production technology.”
ASM Global’s executive vice president for Europe, John Sharkey, says the operator is “delighted to bring to market such an ambitious development”.
“We look forward to building upon the success of the Utilita Arena (11,400-cap.) and Whitley Bay Playhouse (630-cap.), and leveraging our regional strength to further develop the events landscape and grow the north east economy,” says Sharkey.
In addition to its venues in the north east of England, ASM Global’s UK portfolio includes the O2 Arena (20,000-cap.), the SSE Arena, Wembley (12,500-cap.), Manchester Arena (21,000-cap.), the First Direct Arena in Leeds (13,700-cap.), Glasgow’s SSE Hydro Arena (13,000-cap.) and the York Barbican (1,900-cap.).
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