The Aces Edge

SK Baseball buys the Reno Bighorns basketball team:

SK Baseball, owners of Triple-A Baseball’s Reno Aces, have purchased the Reno Bighorns of the NBA Development League, it was announced today.
 
As a further commitment to the success of professional sports in the Reno-Sparks area, SK Baseball now will control the two primary professional franchises in the area.
 
“Today is an exciting day for us,” said Stuart Katzoff, SK Baseball Managing Partner. “The Reno Bighorns represent an opportunity for us to establish a tradition for professional sports in Reno, right alongside our baseball club.”
 
SK Baseball is already in the midst of building a $50 million downtown ballpark to host the Reno Aces of the Pacific Coast League. The ballpark is just the centerpiece of what will be an entire entertainment district, to include retail, dining and nightlife venues.
 
“We’re passionate about professional sports, and we’re committed to making our teams succeed in this city,” Katzoff said. “We feel this is an excellent chance for us to help the continued revitalization of downtown Reno through basketball and baseball.”
 
The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA’s official minor league and features 16 teams with direct affiliations to NBA teams. The league has produced 15 percent of the players on 2007-08 end-of-season NBA rosters and continues to develop current NBA coaches and referees. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote youth basketball, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. The NBA D-League also advances the game of basketball as the research and development arm of the NBA. Throughout this season fans can watch all NBA D-League games on NBA Futurecast, the free live Web-streaming initiative found at nba.com/futurecast.

From the Gazette-Journal's story:

"There are opportunities to scale back both operations, so that's really what made sense about the operations," Katzoff said. "We have a lot on our plate, but feel there is a lot of synergy on the corporate side, on the ticketing side. Our team will assist on the Bighorns' side, and we expect the Bighorns staff will assist on the baseball side."

Synergy or distraction?

Check out a positive take on this from God Hates Reno.

From the RGJ:

The Reno City Council agreed Wednesday to postpone consideration at the Katzoffs’ request until later this month or February. Some council members have considered new shops, restaurants and entertainment venues as important to revitalize downtown as the stadium.

Under the current contract, SK Baseball and Nevada Land, owned by Simon and the Katzoffs, are entitled to up to $2 million a year in property taxes from new development in the baseball district for 20 years. They now want the city to guarantee a $1 million a year starting this year to soothe their financial backers.

More from Downtown Makeover:

Stuart [Katzoff] started to speak, and was abruptly cut off by Mayor Cashell who simply and pointedly asked "Let me ask you one question, are you gonna finish the baseball stadium?" That prompted Katzoff to dispel rumors and media reports that this has to do with the actual ballpark itself. That deal is done, the stadium is being built, and no additional money is being asked for that.

Related: Phase 2 Renderings Presented to City Council

SK Baseball released renderings of the ballpark project's proposed retail portion, presented to the Reno City Council January 14 as part of their effort to convince the city to help them finance this part of the project.

See all the renderings in the Photo Gallery.

The press release:

SK Baseball today revealed its newest set of renderings, illustrating the state-of-the-art downtown ballpark and its accompanying entertainment district.
 
The ballpark, located at the corner of 2nd and Evans in the heart of downtown Reno, represents the first phase in a multi-tiered project from SK Baseball. The stadium is being constructed at an unprecedented pace, and the facility is on schedule for the Reno Aces’ April 17 home opener vs. the Salt Lake Bees, Triple-A Affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
 
The supplementary entertainment district will feature three restaurants—one encompassing the historic freight house—, three nightclubs and an outdoor events plaza in front of the stadium. Much of the entertainment district’s infrastructure is already in place, and the final product will culminate in one of the finest fan experiences in all of professional sports.
 
The latest renderings released from SK Baseball include detailed depictions of the entire complex, including views from inside both sides of the ballpark, street-level landscapes and interior vantage points from several sections of the entertainment district.
 
“We’re very passionate about this entire project, so it’s gratifying to share these renderings with the entire City of Reno,” said SK Baseball Managing Partner Stuart Katzoff. “The ballpark is literally being built before our eyes and is nearing completion, but these artist renderings will let us share our vision of the downtown entertainment district with the residents of this city.”

From rgj.com:

SK Baseball and Nevada Land are asking the Reno City Council today to turn over up to $1 million a year in redevelopment property taxes so that it can start building an entertainment district next to its baseball stadium.

In a letter from developer Jerry Katzoff, he is asking Mayor Bob Cashell to commit the money so that it can get financing to build the infrastructure for three restaurants, three nightclubs and an outdoor events plaza in front of the stadium on East Second Street. The actual buildings, he said, would be opened within 24 months.

“Increases in the construction costs of the Triple A Baseball Stadium along with the costs of developing the Freight House District Entertainment buildings have pushed our original $60 million budget to over $80 million,” Katzoff said.

[...]

Councilwoman Jessica Sferrazza said the extra money may be needed to avoid laying off five or six agency staffers. “A deal is a deal,” she said.

Cashell said he suspects the council will postpone making a decision today. An initial legal opinion, according to a city staff report, says the council may not be able to commit future City Councils to paying developers up to $1 million a year.

SK Baseball has responded to the story with this press release:

SK Baseball is currently working with Reno City Council to seek assistance in financing the much-anticipated downtown entertainment district, which will include three restaurants, three nightclubs and an outdoor events plaza in front of the stadium. The discussions with City Council are not related to the epicenter of the project, a state-of-the-art ballpark, because finances are already secure for the stadium, and the ballpark will be ready for Triple-A Baseball on its scheduled opening date of April 17.
 
Given the existing credit and overall economic climate in the country, financing is not available through traditional means. Thus, SK Baseball is asking the City to support its efforts to ensure the entertainment district is opened efficiently and to the highest quality.
 
“Since we’ve compiled a tremendous construction team to build the stadium, and much of the infrastructure for the entertainment complex has already been built, it only makes logical sense to continue and complete the entertainment complex at this time,” said SK Baseball Managing Partner Stuart Katzoff. “It’s a clear economies of scale issue.”

The team sent out a press release today touting its progress on the ballpark building front:

SK Baseball continues to make progress on its ballpark that broke ground just six months ago. The stadium, which will become home to the Arizona Diamondbacks top affiliate, is currently on schedule to meet its 2009 deadline when the team begins play in Reno.

To date, the home and visiting dugouts have been built, mass excavation of the field, clubhouse basement and bowl seating areas is complete and concrete foundations have been poured behind home plate and in the clubhouse. All underground utilities at field level are now in place and workers began pouring vertical walls in early August.

“We are very happy with the level of progress being made on the stadium so far,” said Stuart Katzoff, managing partner of SK Baseball. “Devcon is a leader in the stadium construction industry and the ballpark is on schedule to be ready for play on opening day. It’s going to be a beautiful stadium and I can’t wait to see it full of fans for our first game.”

As fall approaches, fans can expect a significant amount of work to take place including completion of all vertical walls and tunnels in the clubhouse basement and the bullpen walls. Concrete masonry unit walls will also be set both on the field and in all facility restrooms. Final grading of the berm beyond right field and concrete work on the stadium concourse also will take place prior to the first snowfall.

In addition to the $40 million ballpark, SK Baseball has plans to develop an exciting family Stadium Entertainment District that includes retail, dining and nightlife venues.

From the official release:

SK Baseball today announced that Ryan Radtke, primary broadcaster for the Tucson Sidewinders, will make the move to Reno next spring to become the announcer for northern Nevada’s new Triple-A baseball team, an Arizona Diamondbacks affiliate. Known for his unique style and voice, Radtke began announcing Sidewinders games in Tucson in 2003 and is currently the youngest broadcaster in the Pacific Coast League.

“Ryan is known for being a tremendous young talent and we look forward to bringing him to Reno,” said Stuart Katzoff, managing partner of SK Baseball. “We think the crowds here will really take a liking to him and his style of broadcasting. We’re sure he’ll bring a new level of enthusiasm and excitement to sports broadcasting in northern Nevada.”

Beginning his sports broadcasting career as the voice of the University of Arizona Wildcats baseball, basketball and football teams, Radtke hopes to follow in the footsteps of other Sidewinders announcers, the last three of which have carved a path to the majors.

“I’m very excited to be making my way to Reno next season,” said Radtke. “Reno’s a great city and I look forward to getting to know the fans and the team, as well as working in the new stadium.”

Listen to Radtke's Sidewinder broadcasts here (free with registration).

SK Baseball's marketing guy and my pal Brett McGinness will present Marketing AAA Baseball In Reno at the Reno Tahoe AMA luncheon June 18th at noon. The location appears to be a closely-guarded secret. Non-members can get in for 30 bucks if you RSVP by June 16 at 2:00 p.m.

I urge you to attend if you're interested in what's going on behind the scenes with Reno's ballclub. I say this even though those AMA guys plagiarized me. Tell 'em Reno Ballpark Update sent you.

SK Baseball's Name the Team contest will begin accepting entries on May 5. Check baseballreno.com for details.

Update 5/5/08 | Email from SK Baseball's Andrei Losche:

Hello Reno Baseball Fans!

At the moment we are still finalizing ticket pricing, packages, and stadium layout. Over the past week, we completed a series of focus groups that will help us determine the proper structure for the Reno market. At this point, I would still say that toward the end of June or beginning of July we should have a pricing structure for you to see.

The next step for SK Baseball, and for you, is to name your new team. We want you to visit our website, www.baseballreno.com, and follow the link for the “Name the Team Contest” to cast your vote. You have the opportunity to nominate any name you like, but please keep the names appropriate for all ages.

Here are some general guidelines or points of reference when nominating a name for a professional sports team:

• Does the name have regional relevance?
• Is the name unique/memorable?
• Is the name child friendly?
• Would the name transfer to a good logo?
• Is the name mascot applicable?
• Can the name be chanted easily?

In the true nature of a “contest,” not only will the provider of the winning name secure his/her place in baseball history, he/she will also win a pair of season tickets for the inaugural 2009 season.

The “Name the Team” contest will begin on Monday, May 5th and end on Sunday, June 1st. The complete rules and regulations for the contest can be accessed at www.baseballreno.com and you will also be asked to read them before adding your team name to the contest.

We can’t wait to see the list of names that are nominated and please tell your friends and family about the contest as it is open to everyone. Thanks again for your support and let’s name our team!

Andrei Losche of SK Baseball sent season ticket depositors an update today:

As you know, construction of the ballpark is underway and we are officially on the clock for opening day 2009. Let me assure you that we are getting closer to finalizing our season ticket pricing. This process will take us through the month of May; and toward the end of June or beginning of July, you should be expecting some information on pricing.

If you've already put your season ticket depost down at baseballreno.com, you likely received an email today from Brett McGinness at SK Baseball confirming your status:

Congratulations and thank you!  You have secured your place on the Priority Waiting List for Reno Triple-A Baseball season tickets. We will be contacting you in the coming months to complete the process.  In the meantime, feel free to e-mail us or call us at (775) 334-4700 if you have any questions.

Just a week into the season ticket reservation process, the response from the community has been overwhelming.  Reno is definitely ready for Triple-A baseball!  Since we’re still in the early innings, your friends and family members still have a chance to secure great seats for 2009.  If you’d like for them to be able to take advantage of this opportunity, you can provide their information in response to this e-mail and we will contact them, ask them to give us a call here at the team office — (775) 334-4700, or forward them this link for more information.

Right now, we’re working to finalize the ballpark’s layout and the ticketing options.  We’ll be back in touch with you regarding seat location, seating plans, and pricing using the contact information you provided.  If there is a better phone number and/or e-mail address you’d prefer we use, get in touch with us, and we’ll adjust our records.

We’re thrilled that you’re among the team’s original fan base.  As one of our earliest supporters, we’ll seek your feedback on a regular basis.  You can let us know what you’d like to see out of your Reno ballclub — everything from new team traditions you’d like to see, to food and drink you’d like served at the ballpark.  And yes, we will be rolling out a Name the Team contest in the coming weeks—watch for an email from us, or keep visiting our website, www.baseballreno.com .

Thanks again for joining the team!  We look forward to seeing you at our new home in 2009!