Cavs pull out from operating Chevy Center

Cavs pull out from operating Chevy Center

YOUNGSTOWN —¬†With the city wanting to make the Chevrolet Centre’s interim executive director a permanent hire, the Cavaliers Operating Co. is no longer interested in helping to operate the facility.

The Cleveland company had teamed up with International Facilities Group of Chicago offering to run the center, owned by the city of Youngstown.

Two other companies — SMG and Global Spectrum, both of Philadelphia — informed city officials that they would be willing to work with JAC Management Co., the center’s interim manager. Eric Ryan of Struthers, an event promoter from Struthers, is the head of JAC.

The city envisions the larger companies providing support in marketing services, event booking, risk management and insurance, administration and financing.

Joseph J. Briglia, IFG’s vice president of development, said today his company and the Cavs aren’t interesting in a “consulting relationship” for the center.

The city is continuing to negotiate with SMG and Global Spectrum and should have a decision on which one will be selected by early April.

Also, the city asked the companies wanting to manage the center if they’d enter into a long-term agreement that would guarantee an annual $900,000 net payment to Youngstown.

The companies politely but directly said, “No.”

For the complete story, see Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.