Kori Ellis
11-24-2004, 02:05 AM
SBC Center gets new promoter
Web Posted: 11/24/2004 12:13 AM CST
Travis E. Poling
Express-News Business Writer
Spurs Sports & Entertainment has hired one of the country's largest arena booking and management firms to bring big acts to the SBC Center.
Philadelphia-based SMG Management oversees or books events for 170 venues around the world, including 17 in Texas. The company also promotes popular shows such as the Amy Grant and Vince Gill holiday concert and The Wiggles, a popular act for small children.
The move marks the departure of Steve Zito, who has managed SBC Center since it opened in 2002. Zito, who was a top manager at the Alamodome before joining the Spurs organization, will stay on as a consultant.
The deal with SMG gives Spurs Sports & Entertainment an edge in booking events because the company works with nearly every major entertainer in the country and can leverage its influence in the industry, Spurs and SMG executives said.
"Having an international company such as SMG maximizing the potential of the SBC Center will help us move aggressively in booking and marketing the arena," said Rick Pych, the Spurs' executive vice president of finance and corporate development.
SMG is a joint venture of hotel giant Hyatt and ARAMark. The latter provides part of the concessions at the SBC Center and is part owner of the Spurs organization.
Among the properties SMG manages are Reliant Park — including the new Reliant Stadium and the Reliant Astrodome — the Louisiana Superdome and Chicago's Soldier Field.
In Texas, the company also manages arenas, theaters and convention centers in Laredo, Austin, Beaumont, Corpus Christi and El Paso.
"Any venues they're associated with get a preferential spot," Pych said of SMG-promoted shows and shows from promoters that book at many of SMG's facilities.
Zito was unavailable for comment. But in a prepared statement released by the Spurs, he said, "We worked hard to get SMG on board with the SBC Center, and I am confident they will help the building transition to the next level."
He said the move allows him "the opportunity to pursue other options in my career."
Zito brought major names to the SBC Center over the past two years and was in the process of expanding use of the various spaces in the arena to accommodate conventions and meetings throughout the year.
Assistant General Manager John Sparks will take over Zito's general manager post. Other staffers will also remain.
Mike Evans, SMG's senior vice president of sports and entertainment, said the company will leverage its clout in the industry to bring more quality shows to San Antonio.
Pych said the arena started with a bang with shows, such as George Strait, the Rolling Stones and the double bill of Elton John and Billy Joel. But since then, the number of big shows on tour has declined, making it more difficult to land as many of the best bookings between Spurs, WNBA Silver Stars and Rampage hockey games.
"We realized there was a downturn, and the concerts that book buildings like ours just aren't what they used to be," Pych said.
With the influence of SMG, Pych said the Spurs hope to fill more event dates and have a better shot at big acts such as the rumored new U2 tour.
Web Posted: 11/24/2004 12:13 AM CST
Travis E. Poling
Express-News Business Writer
Spurs Sports & Entertainment has hired one of the country's largest arena booking and management firms to bring big acts to the SBC Center.
Philadelphia-based SMG Management oversees or books events for 170 venues around the world, including 17 in Texas. The company also promotes popular shows such as the Amy Grant and Vince Gill holiday concert and The Wiggles, a popular act for small children.
The move marks the departure of Steve Zito, who has managed SBC Center since it opened in 2002. Zito, who was a top manager at the Alamodome before joining the Spurs organization, will stay on as a consultant.
The deal with SMG gives Spurs Sports & Entertainment an edge in booking events because the company works with nearly every major entertainer in the country and can leverage its influence in the industry, Spurs and SMG executives said.
"Having an international company such as SMG maximizing the potential of the SBC Center will help us move aggressively in booking and marketing the arena," said Rick Pych, the Spurs' executive vice president of finance and corporate development.
SMG is a joint venture of hotel giant Hyatt and ARAMark. The latter provides part of the concessions at the SBC Center and is part owner of the Spurs organization.
Among the properties SMG manages are Reliant Park — including the new Reliant Stadium and the Reliant Astrodome — the Louisiana Superdome and Chicago's Soldier Field.
In Texas, the company also manages arenas, theaters and convention centers in Laredo, Austin, Beaumont, Corpus Christi and El Paso.
"Any venues they're associated with get a preferential spot," Pych said of SMG-promoted shows and shows from promoters that book at many of SMG's facilities.
Zito was unavailable for comment. But in a prepared statement released by the Spurs, he said, "We worked hard to get SMG on board with the SBC Center, and I am confident they will help the building transition to the next level."
He said the move allows him "the opportunity to pursue other options in my career."
Zito brought major names to the SBC Center over the past two years and was in the process of expanding use of the various spaces in the arena to accommodate conventions and meetings throughout the year.
Assistant General Manager John Sparks will take over Zito's general manager post. Other staffers will also remain.
Mike Evans, SMG's senior vice president of sports and entertainment, said the company will leverage its clout in the industry to bring more quality shows to San Antonio.
Pych said the arena started with a bang with shows, such as George Strait, the Rolling Stones and the double bill of Elton John and Billy Joel. But since then, the number of big shows on tour has declined, making it more difficult to land as many of the best bookings between Spurs, WNBA Silver Stars and Rampage hockey games.
"We realized there was a downturn, and the concerts that book buildings like ours just aren't what they used to be," Pych said.
With the influence of SMG, Pych said the Spurs hope to fill more event dates and have a better shot at big acts such as the rumored new U2 tour.