Canadian Football League (CFL) team the Saskatchewan Roughriders has found the first four of 12 founding partners to help cover its part of the cost for the city’s new stadium.
Mosaic, Sasktel, Harvard Broadcasting and Capital Automotive, along with the remaining eight partners, will provide support to the Roughriders’ construction commitment of more than US$32m (C$40m) toward the new Mosaic Stadium in exchange for lifelong recognition within the facility and the ability to secure exclusive multi-year sponsorships, partnership assets and naming rights. Founding partners will also have access to premium hospitality areas, including suites and lounges.
“We know that we can’t make our contribution to our partners — the city (of Regina) and the province of Saskatchewan — without corporate involvement,” said Steve Mazurak, the Roughriders’ vice-president of sales and partnerships.
The Roughriders’ contribution to the project includes US$20m (C$25m) for overall construction and US$12m (C$15m) for areas specific to the football team. The new stadium will be known as Mosaic Stadium until at least 2037.
SaskTel will provide a wireless internet network in the stadium that can support up to 40,000 people, a fiber-optic network built to support the next 10 to 15 years of growth and a new video management system. Harvard Broadcasting will continue as the Roughriders’ exclusive radio broadcaster and Capital Automotive will provide executive staff and promotional vehicles.
While the Roughriders is committed to providing US$32m for the new stadium, which is estimated to cost US$223m (C$278m), the city’s US$58m (C$73m) share has led to a percentage of property tax increases in 2014 and 2015. Fans will also help pay down the city’s US$80m (C$100m) loan from the provincial government through increased ticket prices.
May 29, 2015
