By R.V. Baugus

Dr. Jim Riordan, who established the MBA Sport Management Program at Florida Atlantic University in 2000 and led the program to a No. 19 on the 2021 ranking of the world’s Top 40 postgraduate sport management degrees, has died at the age of 61.

The FAU MBA Sport program has regularly been regarded as one of the top Sport MBA programs in the country under Dr. Riordan’s direction. Over the years, he has forged connections, opened doors, and shaped the careers of hundreds of students. In Riordan’s 21 years of service, the program never finished lower than No. 30 in SportBusiness’ world rankings.

Before his time at FAU, Riordan earned his bachelors and MBA degrees from Saint John’s University in New York and completed his doctorate at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pa.

Riordan also served as chair of FAU’s athletic advisory board from 2003-2004, and for two years as NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative for FAU.

The College of Business also announced they will hold a celebration of life in Riordan’s honor later this semester. The family will officially announce the burial arrangements later, while a memorial service will be held later this semester.

By Lucy Albers

The City of Oklahoma City has selected global architectural design firm Populous to develop a master plan for the renovations at ASM Global-managed Paycom Center. New amenities and improvements are designed to enhance the guest experience at Oklahoma City Thunder NBA games and live entertainment events.

Renovation plans are part of voter-approved Oklahoma City’s MAPS 4, a debt-free public improvement program funded by a temporary sales tax. The funding includes $105 million for Paycom Center enhancements and renovations. Populous previously designed and delivered the state-of-the-art MAPS 3 Oklahoma City Convention Center, a $288 million project also funded by the MAPS program that opened January 2021.

“Investing in our downtown arena more than 20 years ago proved to be a game-changing decision for Oklahoma City,” said Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt. “Paycom Center, home of the Oklahoma City Thunder, serves as an economic driver and a top destination for live sports and entertainment. Our continued investment will focus first on fan amenities, and we’re excited about the new features the facility will offer to residents, visitors, and event organizers.”

Construction on several initial projects is scheduled to start this year with new 300-level seats and elevators. Further upgrades scheduled for 2023 include new seating, a new scoreboard, enhanced 300-level concession areas and signature bar, and further technology and infrastructure improvements. To avoid disruptions to major events and the NBA schedule, additional upgrades will be completed through a multi-year approach, with renovations anticipated through 2028.

The downtown arena was built debt-free as part of the original MAPS program that passed by Oklahoma City residents in 1993. The facility opened its doors in 2002. Welcoming more than one million guests each year, Paycom Center upgrades will provide transformative improvements that enable the city to continue to attract top -tier concerts, sporting events, and other entertainment offerings.

Lucy Albers is Director of Marketing and PR at Paycom Center.

By Veronica Cantu

Indeed, the world’s number one job site, announced its partnership as a Founding Partner of Austin’s premier multi-purpose venue, Moody Center. Indeed will act as the Moody Center’s official hiring partner, helping to hire more than 650 local job seekers through a combination of local hiring events and the power of Indeed’s Virtual Hiring Platform.

Moody Center hiring events began with an in-person job fair at Erwin Center on February 10, 2022. Since the initial launch, Indeed has already helped Moody Center hire more than 200 people through one in-person kick-off hiring event, followed by weekly virtual hiring events that will continue through early April 2022. Job seekers can visit moodycenteratx.com/part-time-jobs to view open roles with the Moody Center and RSVP to the next virtual hiring event that will be held on the Indeed Virtual Hiring Platform.

“Austin has been Indeed’s home base since the very start, and we are proud to expand our investment here,” said Indeed CEO Chris Hyams. “As a founding partner and hiring partner for Moody Center, we’re helping hundreds of local job seekers find meaningful work locally, as the venue brings new entertainment options and sustained economic development to Austin.”

As a Founding Partner of Moody Center, Indeed is granted significant naming opportunities within the arena, inclusive of the brand new “Indeed Club”, which will offer a private bar and elevated culinary experience for roughly 1,000 Concert Members. The Indeed Club will feature original mural artwork from San Antonio/Austin-based artist Alannah Tiller.

“When you talk about alignment, I’m not sure there could be a better example than this partnership. Indeed is a world-class leader in finding good people which is the most important aspect of building any organization,” said Dan Shell, president of Oak View Group College. “We are extremely grateful and excited to have Indeed and its incredible team onboard with us from day one of the opening of the arena.”

Moody Center is located on the University of Texas campus and is scheduled to host performances by John Mayer, Bon Jovi, Justin Bieber, as well as George Strait, Willie Nelson & Family and Randy Rogers Band during the inaugural grand opening week. Moody Center will also be home to The University of Texas Women’s and Men’s basketball programs. During the first 12 months of operation, Moody Center is expected to host over 150 events and have over 1 million patrons in attendance.

Veronica Cantu is Vice President of Marketing for Moody Center.

By R.V. Baugus

Charles Curran, founder and CEO of Bedrock, a Boston-based startup building a dynamic self-service advertising marketplace for IP TVs and LED screens in sports and entertainment venues and university campuses, shared a podcast he recently led that included a Who’s Who of New York’s finest women leaders including Jessica Gaffney, New York Jets & ALSD; Jade Burroughs, National Football League; and Eboni Wilson, New York Islanders (UBS Arena).

The Charles in Charge Podcast has now run three episodes and features a fun story in the first episode in the 3:18-4:38 mark from the San Francisco Giants’ Anne Hastings about “Brandon Crawford (wink, wink): delivering a Happy Birthday message to a 10-year-old fan. Another fun story in the 5:50-7:30 mark comes from long-time IAVM member David Touhey (former president of venues at Monumental in Washington, D.C.) sharing about how WCW wrestler Goldberg changed the life of another 10-year-old fan.

To hear the first podcast, click here.

To hear the second podcast, click here.

Volunteers are at the heart of what we do, and it is only because of the time and knowledge our volunteers contribute that we are able to fulfill our purpose. We hope, therefore, that you will consider responding to this Call for Volunteers for the term August 2022 through July 2023.

As a volunteer, you will be making a difference to this industry, and giving back to other members. You will get value out of your service, making connections with other IAVM leaders and learning about the issues that face us all.

To volunteer, complete the survey and tell us where your interest, skills, and abilities will allow you to make the greatest contribution.  Even if you currently serve on a committee and wish to continue, you must indicate your interest on this application to be considered for renewal as all committee appointments have a one-year term (unless an issue arises and term limits need to be extended or changed). You may indicate your interest for no more than three committees, so please make sure that you rank your choices with 1 being your highest preference. Finally, given the level of interest in service, we can generally only place you on one committee with few exceptions, such as the Industry Affairs Committee which is partially filled by specified representatives (sector directors of the board, for example).

The deadline to respond to the Call for Volunteers is March 31, 2022; appointments to region volunteer positions will be completed by the Region Director; appointments to board committees will be made by the First Vice Chair, while appointments to management committees will be made by the CEO in consultation with the committee chairs and vice chairs. Volunteers will be notified of their management or board committee assignment no later than the end of June. 

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Rosanne Duke.