By Lisa Niess

ASM Global announced that John Drum has been named as U.S. Bank Stadium’s general manager. Drum was selected for the role after serving three years as the stadium’s assistant general manager of operations and most recently as the interim general manager. He brings over 24 years of experience in sports and entertainment to the executive leadership role.

“I am humbled and honored to lead the incredible staff at U.S. Bank Stadium, one of the world’s greatest sports venues,” Drum said. “To my family, mentors and peers that have prepared me for this opportunity, thank you for your guidance, wisdom and support over the many years. These are challenging times for all in the sports and entertainment industry, but we know brighter days are ahead. I look forward to reopening the gates in due time to create more memorable experiences for everyone at U.S. Bank Stadium.”

Drum joined ASM Global in June 2017 as an integral member of the U.S. Bank Stadium executive team. Prior to serving as interim general manager, Drum oversaw stadium operations including event services, facility management, security, IT, tours, and ASM Global’s in-house cleaning services and guest experience departments.

“Throughout John Drum’s tenure, the stadium has excelled in the international spotlight for outstanding efforts in daily operations and world-class events,” said Michael Vekich, Chair of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority. “On behalf of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, we look forward to John’s leadership and the stadium’s continued excellence in performance.”

Drum has been a part of hosting four seasons of Minnesota Vikings football, Super Bowl LII, the 2019 NCAA Men’s Final Four and three years of ESPN’s X Games at U.S. Bank Stadium. During this time, U.S. Bank Stadium welcomed over four million guests at nearly 700 events, was honored with IAVM’s Venue Excellence Award and became the first professional sports stadium to achieve LEED Platinum for Operations and Maintenance.

“We are fortunate to have someone of John’s caliber and experience to lead our team at U.S. Bank Stadium. John has a proven track record and has demonstrated strong leadership skills in his time as interim general manager,” said Leonard Bonacci, Regional Vice President of Stadiums and Arenas for ASM Global. “I look forward to working with John and the rest of the ASM Global team to once again create the amazing experiences that Minnesotans have come to know and expect.”

Prior to moving to Minnesota, Drum served twelve years with the Arizona Cardinals, most recently as their vice president of stadium operations for University of Phoenix Stadium (now known as State Farm Stadium). During his tenure, they hosted two Super Bowls (XLII & XLIX), the 2015 Pro Bowl, the 2009 NCAA Men’s Final Four, and two BCS National Championship Games (2007 & 2011). Drum was an integral member of the Cardinals organization for the opening of University of Phoenix Stadium in 2006.

“The Minnesota Vikings congratulate John on this well-deserved promotion and look forward to our continued work together,” said Vikings Chief Operating Officer Andrew Miller. “ASM Global has been an exceptional partner of the Vikings, in large part because of John’s commitment over the last several years to make U.S. Bank Stadium one of the greatest sports venues in the world. John’s leadership during the COVID pandemic has been critical in helping us safely host home games with the health of players, coaches and game day staff as the top priority.”

Lisa Niess, Director of Marketing and Communications for U.S. Bank Stadium.

The San Francisco 49ers have reached an agreement with the NFL to play two upcoming home games at the Arizona Cardinals’ State Farm Stadium after new COVID-19 directives implemented by local health authorities ruled out events at Levi’s Stadium.

The 49ers’ games against the Buffalo Bills on December 7 and Washington Football Team on December 13 will both be held at State Farm Stadium after a deal was struck with the NFL and the Cardinals.

In a statement, the 49ers said that the Cardinals, State Farm Stadium and NFL officials had been supportive and accommodating as the team worked through the “many logistical issues” involved in relocating games.

The 49ers had been seeking a base for its upcoming home games after new rules imposed by the Santa Clara County Public Health Department placed a temporary ban on recreational activities that “involve physical contact or close proximity to persons outside one’s household, including all contact sports.”

The directives, which were introduced following a spike in COVID-19 cases in the region, began November 30 and will be in place until at least December 21. The 49ers are also due to host the Seattle Seahawks on January 3, with a decision on the location for this game to be made later.

The 49ers have been without their fans at Levi’s Stadium this season and in October the team decided to continue this policy despite the State of California permitting spectators in outdoor venues for professional sporting events in counties with low COVID-19 infection rates.

The 49ers will play three games at State Farm Stadium this month, with its away game against the Cardinals scheduled for December 26.

Sarah Kraynik is currently the Director of Marketing at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee Florida. Previously, she was the Marketing Manager at the XL Center in Hartford Connecticut.  Sarah graduated from Temple University in 2014 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Sport and Recreation Management and then with her Master’s Degree in Communications Management in 2016.  sHer favorite part of her job is being able to express her creativity while creating lasting memories for fans of all ages! 

Join your Foundation in congratulating Sarah on being honored as one of the 30|UNDER|30 Class of 2020 and don’t forget to come back each Thursday as we spotlight another honoree!

By Christine Susa

Pasadena Center Operating Company, Centerplate, city officials, and volunteers prepared up to 250 turkeys at the Pasadena Convention to feed two thousand families for the Union Station Homeless Services Thanksgiving Dinner.

The annual Union Station Homeless Services Thanksgiving Dinner event traditionally feeds over two thousand people in a large celebratory gathering thanks to the help of volunteers and generous key partners. This year strict adherence to COVID-19 public health orders were observed. Some dinners and dinner kits with all the fixings were handed out in advance, while smaller, private dinners were held the day before Thanksgiving at multiple centers serving homeless individuals.

“It has been an honor for the Pasadena Convention Center and Centerplate to donate resources in order to help make Union Station Homeless Services Dinner in the Park a success,” said Michael Ross, CEO of the Pasadena Center Operating Company. “We are grateful for the services and meals they offer and are pleased to participate, for the seventh time, in such a giving cause especially during this difficult time.”

Christine Susa is Director of Marketing & Communications for the Pasadena Convention Center.

Photo caption: Pasadena Mayor-Elect Victor Gordo; Pasadena Center Operating Company CEO Michael Ross; Centerplate Chef Jon Dubrick; Pasadena Convention Center Executive Director Naz Sabripour; Centerplate District Manager Doug Finney; Union Station Homeless Services CEO Anne Miskey; Union Station Homeless Services Food Services Assistant Jimmy Lawson; Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director Jeanne Goldschmidt, Centerplate District Manager Chris Morgan; and Pasadena Vice Mayor Tyron Hampton.

From WWE.com

WWE will bring its world-class viewing experience, WWE ThunderDome, to Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay as it begins a new residency starting with SmackDown on Friday, Dec. 11 at 8/7 C on FOX.

“The Tampa Bay Rays are excited to welcome WWE to Tropicana Field for this residency and shine a spotlight on the Tampa Bay area for WWE fans around the world,” said Matt Silverman, Tampa Bay Rays President. “The ballpark will be transformed to host the spectacle of WWE ThunderDome, allowing fans to enjoy this wildly popular experience virtually.”

The move to Tampa Bay marks the next iteration for WWE ThunderDome, which launched to critical acclaim in August as part of WWE’s first-ever residency at Amway Center in Orlando. Featuring a state-of-the-art set, video boards, pyrotechnics, lasers, cutting-edge graphics and drone cameras, WWE ThunderDome provides an immersive viewing atmosphere and virtually brings thousands of fans into the arena via live video, in conjunction with The Famous Group and its proprietary technology, for every Monday Night Raw, Friday Night SmackDown and WWE pay-per-view event. WWE ThunderDome recently received top honors at this year’s Sportel Awards for Best Virtual Fan Experience.

“We are proud to have reimagined the in-arena atmosphere and provide an interactive experience like nothing else in sports and entertainment with the launch of WWE ThunderDome,” said Kevin Dunn, WWE Executive Producer & Chief, Global Television Production. “Our fans’ response and industry-wide recognition are both humbling and further validation of the innovative spirit and passion that exist across the entire WWE organization.”

Fans can register for their virtual seat to be part of upcoming WWE shows via www.WWEThunderDome.com or at WWE’s Facebook, Instagram or Twitter pages.

“Hollywood celebrities, WWE Legends and millions of fans from around the world have all enjoyed what the world-class WWE ThunderDome has to offer,” said Brian Flinn, WWE Chief Marketing & Communications Officer. “This new residency will enable us to continue offering an unmatched live spectacle and would not have been possible without the strong support from the Tampa Bay Rays organization. We remain grateful for the hospitality provided by the Amway Center over the past four months.”

Raw, SmackDown and pay-per-view programming will be produced at Tropicana Field on closed sets with only essential personnel in attendance. WWE will continue to administer its health and safety protocols for talent, crew and employees in conjunction with each production, including PCR testing for COVID-19, social distancing and wearing masks.

The move comes in advance of the NBA beginning its season on December 22 and Amway Center primary tenant Orlando Magic playing games at the venue that had hosted WWE ThunderDome.