Mixed-Use Development: The Next Phase in Sports Venue Financing, Design and Operation

Wednesday, May 31 | 12:30 PM ET

Mixed-Use Development: The Next Phase in Sports Venue Financing, Design and Operation

Sports franchises across the globe are integrating new and existing sports venues into large-scale mixed-use development projects. From SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park in Los Angeles to The Battery in Atlanta, franchises are working with municipalities to not only construct new state-of-the-art venues, but to construct massive skyline-altering developments that include hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues and public green spaces. Join SBJ facilities reporter, Bret McCormick, and this panel of industry experts as we examine the state of mixed-use development around sports and entertainment venues.

And then don’t miss much more on this subject at SBJ DRIVE, an expansion of SBJ’s legacy Sports Facilities & Franchises and Ticketing Symposium, Sept. 18-21 in St. Louis, MO. More info and registration available here: https://www.SBJ-DRIVE.com

Featured Speakers (More to be Announced)

Michael Belot is a top-performing management, marketing, sales, and business professional with a successful record of achievement in the sports and hospitality industries. His entrepreneurial spirit and relationship-building skills have allowed him to achieve career growth and a special talent for transitioning strategy into action and tangible results. Michael has significant experience and diverse background in marketing, sales, business development and operations help make his skillset unique and applicable across all business platforms

As an SVP with the Milwaukee Bucks he is responsible for the development, implementation and activation of the strategic real estate and business growth objectives for the overall organization, including the 30-acre entertainment district. In addition, responsible for the continued growth of the team’s retail, parking and food and beverage operations, as well as the business areas of the Wisconsin Herd, the G League affiliate of the Bucks, and Bucks Gaming, a member of the NBA 2K League.

Prior to the Milwaukee Bucks, Michael was with Kohler Co. and managed several aspects of the KOHLER experience. Prior to the Bucks he worked at Kohler Company overseeing an extremely diverse set of businesses and functions during his tenure. These were highlighted by lodging (American Club), (4) Kohler Waters spa locations, commercial development, real estate, landscaping, Kohler Chocolates, retail, marketing, food and beverage, golf championships and business development.

Michael was also a member of the Kohler Executive Management team and served as the Vice Chairman for the record-breaking 2015 PGA Championship and 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits.

Michael started his career building an impressive resume in sports event planning. He served as director of the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club in Chicago, arguably one of the most successful tournaments in the history of golf. The Ryder Cup won "Event of the Year" and "Best Professional Single Sport Event" at the SportsTravel Awards and was a finalist for "Event of the Year" at the Sports Business Journal awards. He has been tournament director for several PGA Championships (2006 and 2009). During this period he was responsible for all business operations of the events along with being charged in developing and maintaining a variety of important relationships for the host club and the PGA of America.

His previous sports experience also includes work at the Greater Milwaukee Open, the University of Minnesota, 2001 Final Four and he has served in a variety of roles supporting a total of 6 Super Bowls.

In 2014 Michael was honored as a “Rising Alumni” by the University of Minnesota and holds an Honorary Membership at both Medinah Country Club and Hazeltine National Golf Club.

Michael earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and an MBA from the University of Saint Thomas-Opus College of Business. He resides in Mequon with his wife Katie and their three children: Oliver, Theodore and Caroline.

Drew Johnson serves as Director of Real Estate for Marquee Development. Marquee is a real estate development and investment business owned by the Ricketts family, owners of the Chicago Cubs. Marquee specializes in creating mixed-use entertainment districts, specifically as it relates to sports, media and entertainment assets.  

Drew is responsible for deal sourcing, investment analysis, contracting and executing developments across the US and has worked on over $1bn in real estate development adjacent to major MLB, NFL, and MLS franchises.  Additionally, Drew is a member of Marquee’s finance and asset management committee, where he oversees leasing activity for Marquee’s owned assets. 

Prior to joining Marquee, Drew worked for the real estate investment banking firm Eastdil Secured in Los Angeles. He holds a BA in Economics from Southern Methodist University and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. 

Erin Talkington is a Managing Director based in RCLCO’s Washington, DC office and leads RCLCO’s sports and entertainment and large-scale mixed-use practice. She provides development advisory services including market and financial analysis, implementation strategy, and development partner selection for private landowners, sports teams, local governments, and real estate developers. Her clients span locations across the country, focused on urban reinvestment and suburban infill.

Since joining the firm in 2010, Erin has engaged with a wide variety of clients in both the public and private sectors to provide market and economic analysis that guides development and planning decisions. Her experience includes highest and best use analysis for large mixed-use sites, downtown and corridor revitalization studies, and regional growth analysis. Applicable to projects of all types and scales, Erin’s strength is her ability to quickly synthesize the key market opportunities and strategic positioning for a particular site and communicate that vision to project team members, clients, and community stakeholders.

Erin draws upon a broad background in planning and development. Prior to RCLCO, she gained project management experience for The Reinvestment Fund Development Partners and exposure to transportation planning at Kittelson & Associates. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania. Erin is a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), part of the ULI Washington district council’s Advisory Board, and on the Technology and Real Estate national product council.

Registration is free. All registrants will receive a link to watch the recording once the session concludes.

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