The Tampa Bay Rays announced Friday that Legends Global, a sports and entertainment services company, will serve as owner’s representative while leading sales of sponsorships, premium seating and suites at the team\u2019s new Tampa stadium.<\/p>\n
As an independent third party, Legends Global will protect the Rays\u2019 interests in budgeting, construction schedules, quality and risk control, while also serving as a liaison to contractors and architects, according to a press release.<\/p>\n
Legends Global will also provide go-to-market analysis, product design and development, data and analytics strategy, and sales execution to support stadium naming rights, founding partners, premium seating, and suite sales, the Rays said in a news release.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a project that requires the expertise, leadership and reputation for quality that only Legends Global can provide,\u201d Rays CEO Ken Babby said.<\/p>\n
ALSO READ: Tampa CRA board pushes Rays stadium-related actions to November<\/a><\/p>\n The Rays are planning to build a $2.36 billion enclosed ballpark on about 120 acres currently used by Hillsborough College\u2019s Dale Mabry campus. Hillsborough County<\/a> and the city of Tampa<\/a> approved a contract in late August to provide no more than $876 million combined in public financing for the stadium.<\/p>\n Legends Global will work with AECOM Hunt Turner, recently named the project\u2019s construction manager at risk, and the Gensler and Populous architectural firms.<\/p>\n Legends Global said it will base a team in Tampa, with longtime sports executive Todd Fleming serving as senior vice president and project lead. The firm\u2019s ownership includes affiliates of the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys, and investment firm Sixth Street.<\/p>\n The Rays\u2019 announcement comes two days after county commissioners approved an interlocal agreement naming the Tampa Sports Authority as the local governments\u2019 owner\u2019s representative for the project.<\/p>\n