Rosemont vows defense of DePaul

[mr.MUskie]

from today's Chicago Tribune...

The battle over the Blue Demons intensified Wednesday as the village of Rosemont vowed to fight to keep the DePaul men's basketball team playing in its arena even as the school considers options in Chicago.

To compete for the team, Rosemont is prepared to sweeten the arrangement at Allstate Arena, which is owned by the village and where the school plays rent-free while collecting 80 percent of gross ticket sales.

"Rosemont intends to stay in the fight," village spokesman Gary Mack said. "Rosemont intends to be aggressive in trying to keep DePaul."

The school's agreement expires in 2015, and its trustees have passed a broad strategic plan that aims to return the once-storied program closer to its campus in Lincoln Park.

DePaul, a private university with more than 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students, wants to draw more students to games and attract local recruits from Chicago. It averaged 7,676 fans during home games last year as the team finished 12-19. In contrast, in 1988, it averaged 12,396, the 21st best in the country, according to the NCAA.

School officials have been meeting with representatives from the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, the state-city agency that owns McCormick Place and Navy Pier, about a possible arena south of downtown that would include public funding. DePaul would likely have to contribute to some of the cost of that arena.

DePaul also has been in talks with the United Center, where sources said executives are offering DePaul free rent and 100 percent of ticket revenue.

Courting DePaul will mean competing with a generous arrangement in Rosemont. Mack conceded the deal is overwhelmingly favorable to the Demons.

"There's no question about that," he said, adding that a new agreement could be drawn up if necessary.

The village benefits, he said, because fans spend money at the arena and elsewhere in town, boosting sales taxes and the local economy.

Through a spokeswoman, DePaul University President the Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider declined to comment.

Revenue from luxury boxes, parking fees and concessions go to the village. One exception is listed: If the sold items have DePaul logos, the university keeps 80 percent of the revenue.

"There's a very special relationship between Rosemont and DePaul," Mack said. "... There's a cachet to having an NCAA basketball team there."

In addition to the ticket revenue, the school receives more than 200 complimentary parking spaces, access to a luxury box for any event and an annual "first-class banquet" paid by Rosemont, according to a copy of the agreement obtained under a public records request.

DePaul gets the use of two party rooms in the arena at no rental charge. It has a luxury box for any event at the arena — not just basketball — and as "a primary tenant" receives special rates for food while being permitted to provide its own liquor for use in its box during games.

The school also holds "sole control" over ticket prices and policies; while the village can sell the 350 "best available tickets" for games, those seats are determined by the school. The village also receives 150 complimentary tickets to use as it pleases while the school receives 500 complimentary tickets.

For games and practice sessions, DePaul receives 50 parking spaces, a special VIP parking area for up to 200 vehicles and the ability to sell books with parking coupons. Parking fees for the games were $11 when the contract was signed and increased in 2007 to $15.

The village is required to pay for employees such as ushers and uniformed police officers on the basketball floor for the games.

As DePaul explores options, school officials are also speaking with the operators at United Center, co-owned by White Sox and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf and Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz.

By locking up DePaul, the United Center would be able to fill open dates while also potentially blocking the need for a new arena that could become a competitor for concerts and special events.

The West Side facility is offering DePaul free rent for at least the first 10 years, plus all ticket revenue. The United Center would keep income from concessions and parking, according to a source familiar with the discussions.

Additionally, according to a November PowerPoint presentation from United Center officials, the facility would be overhauled for DePaul games so that DePaul logos would be visible on the floor at each end of the court.

The United Center also would provide use of the owner's suite and marketing suites, and it would provide 300 parking spaces and share a database of fan information with DePaul.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel has not explicitly stated whether he prefers one of the two city options, only that he wants DePaul back in Chicago.

United Center officials were unavailable for comment.

[jsglow]

Interesting article and 'to the death' fight over the weakest team in the BEast.  Just shows what paying tenants are worth in times like these.

[MU82]

Rosemont. The U.C. A new arena at McCormick Place.

Three bad options for a bad program.

[Tugg Speedman]

Rosemont. The U.C. A new arena at McCormick Place.

Three bad options for a bad program.

Why is the UC a bad option?  Not optimal, yes.  But bad?

[warriorchick]

Rosemont. The U.C. A new arena at McCormick Place.

Three bad options for a bad program.

I still can't get over that multiple venues are actually fighting over that team.