Month: June 2019

Cherokee Nation Businesses, (CNB), today announced the partnership with Legends, a leader in global planning, sales and hospitality.

The partnership will deliver a world-class entertainment complex consistent with other venues within the Legends portfolio. Legends will manage the process for the design and development of the complex, conceive the culinary experience and help CNB to monetise the guest experience for non-gaming attractions.

Legends was founded in 2008 through a joint venture between Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. Through this relationship, the organizations will identify unique and innovative ways to elevate the guest experience and overall offerings to the next level for the proposed project.

The location for the casino development is planned for Russellville, Arkansas on approximately 135 acres off Interstate 40 along Nob Hill Road between Weir Road on the west and Alaskan Trail on the east. The project will be completed in phases: The first phase includes Legends’ designs and elements for the casino, hotel and curated culinary experience.  Phase two will focus on incorporating lifestyle and entertainment amenities, with an emphasis on creating family-friendly entertainment options. The final phase will include additional retail, dining and hotel concepts.

Stephen Jones, Executive Vice President, CEO, and Director of Player Personnel for the Dallas Cowboys, said, “We are excited to have Legends involved in the process. It is very important to us because of the family history and connection we have to Arkansas. Legends was founded on the principal of creating a superior guest experience during game day and we look forward to bringing that expertise to the state of Arkansas.”

“Entering into this partnership with the globally-recognized team at Legends is a game-changer,” said Shawn Slaton, CEO, Cherokee Nation Businesses. “They bring a wealth of experience having worked with premier venues across professional sports, live events and collegiate partners including The University of Arkansas, AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Ultimate Fighting Championship and Live Nation amphitheaters.

We are committed to earning the letters of support from local elected officials and look forward to unveiling our plans to the community in the near future.” 

“We are excited about the opportunity to bring our proven expertise in collaboration with CNB to create a truly world-class entertainment destination that offers an unmatched experience for guests of all ages and will create positive economic impact to benefit the entire community,” said Bill Rhoda, President, Legends Global Planning.

More details regarding the project will be release in the near future.

Partnership Formed to Focus on Increasing Demand for Comprehensive Esports Market Services and Expertise

Conventions, Sports and Leisure (CSL), the research and planning arm of Legends, a leader in global planning, sales and hospitality; and esports industry natives INGAME Esports, Inc. and SIMPLYNEW, have partnered to create the “Esports Entry Advisory.”

The “Esports Entry Advisory” will offer venue developers, destination marketing organizations, sports commissions, facility managers, and other sports/entertainment industry stakeholders tailored market analyses, facility design guidance, technology consulting, esports event programming, among other esports advisory services. 

“The esports ecosystem has many layers, and it can be challenging to know how to connect with event organizers or market to the video game community,” explained Angela Bernhard Thomas, Co-Founder and CEO of INGAME. “Venues contemplating esports rely on information we provide for their decision making and planning process.”

Bill Rhoda, President, Legends Global Planning, said, “The formation of the ‘Esports Entry Advisory’ will allow us to develop a full set of services to offer partners, from conceptualization to development, within the esports business.”

CSL and INGAME recently led the feasibility analysis for the development of an esports program in Atlantic City, NJ. The analysis established a baseline of event potential, economic impact and space needs for transforming historic Boardwalk Hall into a next generation esports venue.  SimplyNew most recently provided technology design and build out of the Esports Stadium Arlington.

“We partner with venues and venue stakeholders to help them better position themselves in the esports marketplace,” said Tyler Othen, Esports Practice Leader for CSL. “As esports and the spectator sports converge, it is essential that key stakeholders know how to create immersive experiences that integrate significant technology.”

“The Esports Entry Advisory is a powerful tool for decision making,” noted Marc Scarpa from SIMPLYNEW.  “Our collective approach combines market and cost/benefit analyses with esports technology and business modeling, in advance of architectural design and construction, which is lacking in the industry right now, and we’re solving this problem with an offering that is unique and necessary.”

The esports phenomenon continues to grow, as Newzoo’s 2019 Global Esports Market Report estimates $1.1 billion in revenues and nearly 454 million unique esports viewers for 2019.  The launching of the Esports Entry Advisory will support the emergence of the live esports experience, creating opportunities for revenue generation and economic impact creation throughout the industry.

The partners will be featured on a panel at the upcoming E3 conference in the Joint Forces Initiative/514 Esports booth at 10:20 a.m. on June 12, 2019.

About CSL

CSL is an industry leader in determining the feasibility of building arenas, stadiums and other public assembly facilities. CSL offers clients and partners research and expertise focused in the sports, entertainment, hospitality and leisure industries.  http://www.cslintl.com

About INGAME Esports Inc.

INGAME Esports, Inc is a turn-key esports services company assisting businesses, government and academic organizations navigate the complex esports and video game landscape.  The INGAME executive team brings over 20 years of deep industry relationships, knowledge and experience, guiding clients to successfully engage in the cultural convergence of video games, esports, technology and entertainment through IP development, esports programs, and live events. www.ingameesports.com

About SimplyNew

SimplyNew is a pioneer of live participatory media, with 20+ years creating award winning programming across traditional and digital broadcast media.  SimplyNew provides media and technology solutions to clients seeking to develop multi-use esports facilities and experiential entertainment venues. Tech design/build projects include, Esports Stadium Arlington and Microsoft Mixer broadcast and production studios delivering within budget, aggressive schedules, and demanding work environments.  www.simplynew.com