Post by jcappy on Feb 6, 2015 14:15:26 GMT -5
Making dozens of costly demands of the city and asking not to pay for the large majority...classy as always
www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-nfl-draft-chicago-spt-0206-20150205-story.html#page=1
Documents shed new light on Chicago's plans to host NFL draft
April, the NFL will invade Chicago to stage its extravagant three-day player draft. Thousands will flock here to work or witness. Millions more will watch around-the-clock coverage on TV.
But little has been revealed about the event expected to engulf multiple blocks downtown, including parts of Grant Park, and take residence in the historic Auditorium Theatre for nearly three weeks. Chicago's first NFL draft in 51 years will be more expensive than recent versions in New York, in part because of an outdoor fan festival, although city officials have pledged that no taxpayer money will be used.
Equally intriguing is how the 126-year-old Auditorium is retooling itself to host the massive media spectacle.
Providing a peek inside plans to stage the NFL draft in Chicago is the five-page wish list the league sent in August to Choose Chicago, the nonprofit tourism agency organizing the event with the league. The Tribune received the documents via a public records request to the city, which was involved in the bid.
It's unclear if the NFL's demands were honored by Choose Chicago or will affect taxpayers. Choose Chicago and the NFL both declined to comment on specific requests. Still, the documents show the NFL made dozens of costly requests and asked to not pay for almost any of them.
Notable among the NFL's requests are:
Cordoning off stretches of road around Grant Park and Congress Plaza, including a key stretch of Congress Parkway between Michigan Avenue and Wabash Avenue, for nearly three weeks.
Free use of the Auditorium Theatre and other spaces owned by Roosevelt University from April 19 to May 6, free WiFi and other technology for the NFL and its partners at all locations and free parking for NFL staff, TV crews and production trucks.
Free parking at draft venues and free police escorts for prospective draft picks and NFL "dignitaries."
Creation and enforcement of a "clean zone" city ordinance banning temporary commercial activity in and near draft venues.
City "resources" to help keep unofficial advertising away from the made-for-TV event, otherwise known as ambush marketing.
Outdoor space for a "village" for about 15 "sponsor activation zones" and football fields for youth clinics and events for five days. Also, three "Party Spaces" for NFL events: one for 150 people that serves Anheuser-Busch brewing products, one for up to 700 people with concert space April 29 and one for 250 people for a lunch with television shooting capability.
Along with Choose Chicago, promotional material and signage worth at least $4 million.
Commitment to host the 2016 NFL draft (this was agreed to by the city, documents show), if the NFL decides to keep it in Chicago.
Commitments from 13 hotels to reserve rooms for prospective players, NFL staff and others. Chicago's bid included hundreds of pages from hotels outlining their reserved room rates.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy declined to comment on the league's requests and said the league does not disclose costs related to the draft. He also said the schedule and other details of the draft are not ready to be released. Through a spokesman, the Bears also said they aren't ready to discuss their plans.
Details remain murky because as a nonprofit, Choose Chicago is not subject to public records laws. Three years ago, Mayor Rahm Emanuel closed the city's tourism department and transferred duties to the tourism bureau, whose budget now comes mostly from government grants.
CEO Don Welsh said basic requests — such as providing a facility — were granted but that the agreement with the NFL is not public. He said details should be rolled out within the next few weeks as the league begins a marketing campaign.
"This probably is going to wind up being one the best events for the city of Chicago," Welsh said. "It's probably one the best, most fair negotiated agreements that I've been part of."
Welsh said sponsors and donations will cover the cost, estimating that Choose Chicago needs to raise about $3 million to $4 million — similar to the total to put on conventions. The NFL is making a "big" contribution, he said.
"There will be no taxpayer money used. Any responsibility will fall on this organization and the (Chicago) Sports Commission to raise the necessary funds," he said.
Welsh received the league's wish list from NFL director of events Eric Finkelstein. The Tribune received a copy in response to a public records request related to emails from Chicago cultural and special events official David Kennedy.
Other documents the Tribune received show that Choose Chicago offered some creative marketing proposals before the city was named host in October, including outfitting Chicago art exhibits in NFL gear, including the lions outside the Art Institute, Daley Plaza's Picasso statue and a replica of Sue the Tyrannosaurus rex at the Field Museum.
Otherwise, the list sent in August offers a window into the meticulous care the NFL takes to stage such an event — and the demands it makes on cities hoping to secure such a major media display. Last year's first round of coverage drew 32 million viewers on ESPN and the NFL Network while the league's digital platforms saw historic levels of traffic.
But the draft could cost more this year than in previous years simply because of the first-ever fan festival and the fact that NFL personnel live and work in New York and will travel to Chicago. The NFL moved the draft from New York's Radio City Music Hall, its home for nine years, because of a scheduling conflict.
City officials have said that the draft, scheduled for April 30 to May 2, will be a boon for the city's economy. A spokeswoman said the NFL and Choose Chicago are responsible for covering the cost of any city services.
"While the city does not yet have a copy of the final agreement, the NFL and Choose Chicago will be responsible for any costs associated with city services during the event, and no taxpayer dollars will be used to host it," city spokeswoman Shannon Breymaier said.
Breymaier did not respond to a question about how the city could be certain of that without a written contract. But she said the city will invoice Choose Chicago for the total amount of city services used, saying that is common with large events.
She said the city does not plan to meet the NFL's request for an ordinance preventing "ambush marketing." Welsh said Choose Chicago would help the NFL in its efforts to curb such interference.
Organizers and the NFL chose the approximately 3,900-seat Auditorium because it was the largest theater available to host the made-for-TV event, according to records.
But the architectural wonder certainly was not designed more than a century ago with the draft in mind.
C.J. Dillon, the theater's chief operating officer, said a $19 million renovation 15 years ago modernized the theater for most concerts. He said the biggest adjustment is providing enough bandwidth for thousands using phones and social media.
"Generally, we don't allow that to happen during a show," he said with a chuckle. "We usually try to prevent that."
On Aug. 15, 2014, several days after the bid was submitted, Dillon wrote in an email to Choose Chicago that technology upgrades would cost about $100,000 to $125,000.
A Roosevelt spokeswoman said Choose Chicago would cover any costs.
The NFL may still help pay for some costs. According to its letter, the league did not dispute covering any labor performed by union workers. And in an August 2014 letter, Chicago Park District CEO Michael Kelly asked the NFL to agree to cover any damages on park district land. However, Welsh told the Tribune that Choose Chicago agreed to cover any costs related to parkland use.
Allen Sanderson, a University of Chicago economist who studies sports, said it is misleading to say that the public wouldn't pay for the draft, especially if the government absorbs any city services, such as road closings or extra police.
"We're going to be paying for the right to have this party in our own backyard," he said.
He also said national or international events — an Olympics or a political convention, for example — and movie productions often hold an upper hand over cities when asking for complimentary services.
"(These events) are basically economic monopolies that have a product to sell, and they can use that substantial market power to extract dollars from cities because they bid against each other," Sanderson said.
The Tribune previously reported that Emanuel met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on June 3 at the league's Park Avenue offices in New York. The two later spoke on the phone, and Chicago's turning point came when the mayor offered the fan festival — a new concept modeled after Super Bowl fan activities — in Grant Park.
www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-nfl-draft-chicago-spt-0206-20150205-story.html#page=1
Documents shed new light on Chicago's plans to host NFL draft
April, the NFL will invade Chicago to stage its extravagant three-day player draft. Thousands will flock here to work or witness. Millions more will watch around-the-clock coverage on TV.
But little has been revealed about the event expected to engulf multiple blocks downtown, including parts of Grant Park, and take residence in the historic Auditorium Theatre for nearly three weeks. Chicago's first NFL draft in 51 years will be more expensive than recent versions in New York, in part because of an outdoor fan festival, although city officials have pledged that no taxpayer money will be used.
Equally intriguing is how the 126-year-old Auditorium is retooling itself to host the massive media spectacle.
Providing a peek inside plans to stage the NFL draft in Chicago is the five-page wish list the league sent in August to Choose Chicago, the nonprofit tourism agency organizing the event with the league. The Tribune received the documents via a public records request to the city, which was involved in the bid.
It's unclear if the NFL's demands were honored by Choose Chicago or will affect taxpayers. Choose Chicago and the NFL both declined to comment on specific requests. Still, the documents show the NFL made dozens of costly requests and asked to not pay for almost any of them.
Notable among the NFL's requests are:
Cordoning off stretches of road around Grant Park and Congress Plaza, including a key stretch of Congress Parkway between Michigan Avenue and Wabash Avenue, for nearly three weeks.
Free use of the Auditorium Theatre and other spaces owned by Roosevelt University from April 19 to May 6, free WiFi and other technology for the NFL and its partners at all locations and free parking for NFL staff, TV crews and production trucks.
Free parking at draft venues and free police escorts for prospective draft picks and NFL "dignitaries."
Creation and enforcement of a "clean zone" city ordinance banning temporary commercial activity in and near draft venues.
City "resources" to help keep unofficial advertising away from the made-for-TV event, otherwise known as ambush marketing.
Outdoor space for a "village" for about 15 "sponsor activation zones" and football fields for youth clinics and events for five days. Also, three "Party Spaces" for NFL events: one for 150 people that serves Anheuser-Busch brewing products, one for up to 700 people with concert space April 29 and one for 250 people for a lunch with television shooting capability.
Along with Choose Chicago, promotional material and signage worth at least $4 million.
Commitment to host the 2016 NFL draft (this was agreed to by the city, documents show), if the NFL decides to keep it in Chicago.
Commitments from 13 hotels to reserve rooms for prospective players, NFL staff and others. Chicago's bid included hundreds of pages from hotels outlining their reserved room rates.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy declined to comment on the league's requests and said the league does not disclose costs related to the draft. He also said the schedule and other details of the draft are not ready to be released. Through a spokesman, the Bears also said they aren't ready to discuss their plans.
Details remain murky because as a nonprofit, Choose Chicago is not subject to public records laws. Three years ago, Mayor Rahm Emanuel closed the city's tourism department and transferred duties to the tourism bureau, whose budget now comes mostly from government grants.
CEO Don Welsh said basic requests — such as providing a facility — were granted but that the agreement with the NFL is not public. He said details should be rolled out within the next few weeks as the league begins a marketing campaign.
"This probably is going to wind up being one the best events for the city of Chicago," Welsh said. "It's probably one the best, most fair negotiated agreements that I've been part of."
Welsh said sponsors and donations will cover the cost, estimating that Choose Chicago needs to raise about $3 million to $4 million — similar to the total to put on conventions. The NFL is making a "big" contribution, he said.
"There will be no taxpayer money used. Any responsibility will fall on this organization and the (Chicago) Sports Commission to raise the necessary funds," he said.
Welsh received the league's wish list from NFL director of events Eric Finkelstein. The Tribune received a copy in response to a public records request related to emails from Chicago cultural and special events official David Kennedy.
Other documents the Tribune received show that Choose Chicago offered some creative marketing proposals before the city was named host in October, including outfitting Chicago art exhibits in NFL gear, including the lions outside the Art Institute, Daley Plaza's Picasso statue and a replica of Sue the Tyrannosaurus rex at the Field Museum.
Otherwise, the list sent in August offers a window into the meticulous care the NFL takes to stage such an event — and the demands it makes on cities hoping to secure such a major media display. Last year's first round of coverage drew 32 million viewers on ESPN and the NFL Network while the league's digital platforms saw historic levels of traffic.
But the draft could cost more this year than in previous years simply because of the first-ever fan festival and the fact that NFL personnel live and work in New York and will travel to Chicago. The NFL moved the draft from New York's Radio City Music Hall, its home for nine years, because of a scheduling conflict.
City officials have said that the draft, scheduled for April 30 to May 2, will be a boon for the city's economy. A spokeswoman said the NFL and Choose Chicago are responsible for covering the cost of any city services.
"While the city does not yet have a copy of the final agreement, the NFL and Choose Chicago will be responsible for any costs associated with city services during the event, and no taxpayer dollars will be used to host it," city spokeswoman Shannon Breymaier said.
Breymaier did not respond to a question about how the city could be certain of that without a written contract. But she said the city will invoice Choose Chicago for the total amount of city services used, saying that is common with large events.
She said the city does not plan to meet the NFL's request for an ordinance preventing "ambush marketing." Welsh said Choose Chicago would help the NFL in its efforts to curb such interference.
Organizers and the NFL chose the approximately 3,900-seat Auditorium because it was the largest theater available to host the made-for-TV event, according to records.
But the architectural wonder certainly was not designed more than a century ago with the draft in mind.
C.J. Dillon, the theater's chief operating officer, said a $19 million renovation 15 years ago modernized the theater for most concerts. He said the biggest adjustment is providing enough bandwidth for thousands using phones and social media.
"Generally, we don't allow that to happen during a show," he said with a chuckle. "We usually try to prevent that."
On Aug. 15, 2014, several days after the bid was submitted, Dillon wrote in an email to Choose Chicago that technology upgrades would cost about $100,000 to $125,000.
A Roosevelt spokeswoman said Choose Chicago would cover any costs.
The NFL may still help pay for some costs. According to its letter, the league did not dispute covering any labor performed by union workers. And in an August 2014 letter, Chicago Park District CEO Michael Kelly asked the NFL to agree to cover any damages on park district land. However, Welsh told the Tribune that Choose Chicago agreed to cover any costs related to parkland use.
Allen Sanderson, a University of Chicago economist who studies sports, said it is misleading to say that the public wouldn't pay for the draft, especially if the government absorbs any city services, such as road closings or extra police.
"We're going to be paying for the right to have this party in our own backyard," he said.
He also said national or international events — an Olympics or a political convention, for example — and movie productions often hold an upper hand over cities when asking for complimentary services.
"(These events) are basically economic monopolies that have a product to sell, and they can use that substantial market power to extract dollars from cities because they bid against each other," Sanderson said.
The Tribune previously reported that Emanuel met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on June 3 at the league's Park Avenue offices in New York. The two later spoke on the phone, and Chicago's turning point came when the mayor offered the fan festival — a new concept modeled after Super Bowl fan activities — in Grant Park.
