Studer Community Institute

Blue Wahoos bring CMPA big payday

November 12, 2013
/ Shannon Nickinson
/ community-dashboard

On November 8th, Pensacola’s Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, the Blue Wahoos delivered nearly $500,000 to the Executive Committee of the Community Maritime Park Associates. Listen to an interview on the Cat Pak Morning Show on Cat Country.

The check for $491,602 is in addition to the more than $200,000 the team has previously contributed to the CMPA, which brings the total revenue paid to the City in 2013 to $699,823, the second highest stadium use fee in the Southern League.

Team owners Quint and Rishy Studer presented the check to CMPA president Jim Reeves at the meeting in City Hall. Reeves thanked the Studers and commended them for the “family-friendly” atmosphere they and the Wahoos staff have created at the park.

Only the Birmingham Barons pay more in use fees than the Wahoos. The Barons will pay only an estimated $20,000 more than the Wahoos this year, despite having a brand-new, publicly-funded $39 million stadium that seats 10,000 fans and has 26 revenue-producing suites. In comparison, the home stadium of the Blue Wahoos seats about 5,000 with no suites, and cost $15 million in public money and $3 million in private donations.

“This is the most aggressive use agreement for any City in the Southern League, on a per-seat basis,” said Studer. “The City Administration and CMPA should be commended for bringing this type of agreement to closure just 18 months ago. We are very hopeful that the City and CMPA will be successful with the entire Maritime Park project, from the amphitheater to the private development parcels to special events, and we are doing our part to make this a long-term, ‘win-win’ relationship.”

When calculated on a per-seat basis, the Wahoos pay more per seat than any other team in the Southern League - more than three times the league average and almost twice as much per seat as Birmingham.

Studer also noted that the Blue Wahoos, like any business, have a balancing act between expenses like use fees, ticket prices for fans, and quality service from employees.

“Thanks to our fans and sponsors, we have been able to continue to offer family-friendly entertainment, good jobs to our community, and bring thousands of people downtown to shop and eat every game night,” said Studer.

Studer also highlighted the ongoing development at the Maritime Park, including the 77,000 square foot office building currently under construction. The office project is estimated to generate more than $1 million in lease fees over ten years, and around $3 million in property taxes over 10 years.

“In addition to this significant financial investment, this office building will bring over 200 employees to downtown everyday,” Studer said. [progresspromise]

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Blue Wahoos bring CMPA big payday

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