STAMFORD, Conn., June 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Centerplate, Inc. (Amex: CVP; TSX: CVP.un), the Stamford, Connecticut-based entertainment hospitality company, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Crimson Tide Sports Marketing (CTSM) to provide food, beverage and retail merchandise services at the University of Alabama athletic facilities including the 92,000 seat Bryant-Denny Stadium and the 14,000 seat Coleman Coliseum. Centerplate won a competitive bidding process conducted by Crimson Tide Sports Marketing, the University's multimedia rights holder. CTSM is a joint venture between Learfield Sports and ISP Sports. Centerplate will begin operations for UA Athletics this summer.
"We are energized by this new partnership," said Janet Steinmayer, President and CEO of Centerplate. "I believe this is indicative of a shift in the University market where we will see more collegiate athletic facilities seeking to provide their alumni and students with high quality guest experiences."
Centerplate will also provide design and construction management services to renovate a number of the service areas of the athletic facilities, injecting key aspects of the University's iconography to reflect Alabama fans' school pride. Centerplate's depth of operational experience provides a distinct advantage over traditional design firms because the Company can deliver not only aesthetically-compelling environments, but also operationally effective ones to generate incremental sales.
"Centerplate is a great fit for the University," noted Jim Carabin, General Manager of Crimson Tide Sports Marketing, "They really understand the dynamics of success in high-volume operations, but they also bring a truly strategic approach to enhancing the fan experience and driving sales."
With the addition of the University of Alabama, Centerplate now serves the fans of 17 collegiate athletic programs.
About Centerplate
Centerplate crafts and delivers extraordinary entertainment experiences in over 130 prominent sports, entertainment and convention venues across North America. Centerplate has provided its services to many high profile events including 24 World Series games, 9 U.S. Presidential Inaugural Balls, 11 Super Bowls (including the most recent in Arizona), 9 NCAA Final Four Men's Basketball Tournaments and 14 World Cup Soccer games. Visit the company online at http://www.centerplate.com/
About Crimson Tide Sports Marketing
Crimson Tide Sports Marketing (CTSM) is the multimedia rights holder for the University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. CTSM offers corporate customers a multitude of marketing and media sponsorship opportunities including radio, television, print, Internet, merchandise catalog, videos, special projects, game promotions, sponsorships, signage and coaches endorsements. CTSM is a joint venture between Learfield Sports and ISP Sports.
