CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings, Civic Center agree to lease

Published on October 31, 2007 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


The company that owns and operates the Mississippi RiverKings has announced that it has signed a new three-year lease with the DeSoto Civic Center.

The DeSoto County Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors approved the agreement with Maddox Hockey yesterday.

" We are delighted to continue in our role as an anchor tenant for the DeSoto Civic Center , and to provide a quality professional sports team for DeSoto County and the Northwest Mississippi region," says Dave "Ab" Mattice, the RiverKings' Director of Business Operations.

The RiverKings play 32 games at the DCC annually.

"The DeSoto Civic Center is an absolutely wonderful place to watch a hockey match," says Mattice. "The facility was designed in part with the needs of a professional hockey team in mind, so our fans get the benefit of that design. We put on a great show for the entire family, and offer one of the most affordable professional sports programs in the area."

Attendance at the team's games increased steadily last year, and attendance for the first three home games this season has risen nearly 50 percent from the first three games of last year.

"We believe our new agreement will benefit both the Civic Center and the RiverKings," says Chuck Roberts, CVB Board Chair. "The RiverKings have been a part of the Civic Center from its very beginning, and we are glad to be able to reach an agreement that will continue that relationship."

The RiverKings and the Xplorers af2 football team anchored the D C C following its construction .

Roberts also says the new agreement gives the DCC greater flexibility in working with the RiverKings to build community sponsorships, as well as promote the team as a premier entertainment attraction in the region.

"The new lease greatly simplifies the business side of our operations," says Mike Ward, Maddox Foundation Director of Programs.

The new agreement allows the RiverKings to make unified annual lease payments covering all the services the DCC provides.

"In the past, each side had to account for a variety of charges for things like charges for additional spaces used by the team, box office fees, and ticket fees," says Ward. "Now we write one check to cover all services."

The lease will allow the DCC to continue earning income from the team's lease payment, along with suite rentals, concessions and advertising sales. It will also allow the RiverKings to receive all ticket sales revenue and jointly market signs inside the arena.

"The important thing is that the lease increases the ability of the RiverKings and the Civic Center to attract sponsors," says Ward. "The original lease we entered into in 2002, and have been renewing from year to year, was designed for a time when the Civic Center was a new venture. The RiverKings and the Civic Center have both grown and developed over the past five years, and the new agreement reflects the partnership as it exists today."

"The new lease gives us some unique marketing tools," says Whitley Rives , Maddox Foundation Program Assistant. "This year we are exploring new ways in which businesses and nonprofit organizations in the community can both invest in and gain benefits from association with the RiverKings."

The pact also provides the RiverKings with greater opportunities to meet the marketing needs of area businesses and nonprofits looking to increase their presence in the community. For example, one Maddox Foundation program allows area nonprofits to use RiverKings tickets in fundraising programs, giving area businesses access to promotional packages to reward their employees.

Fans can buy RiverKings season tickets for as little as $240. The team also offers special fundraising ticket prices for nonprofit organizations. The RiverKings last season advanced to the Northern Conference Finals before losing to the Colorado Eagles . The team won the Central Hockey League's Ray Miron President's Cup in 2002 and 2003.

The Maddox Foundation created Maddox Hockey in 2002 to lessen the burden of the DeSoto County government by increasing the viability of the DeSoto Civic Center and promoting the community's long-term economic development.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Central Hockey League Stories from October 31, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central