Boston—November 18, 2005—Groupe Gones & Sports, Owner of Adecco ASVEL Basketball Club, Grand Prix de Lyon de Tennis and the Lyon Marathon, Retains G2 Strategic to Guide Arena Pre-Development Process.
G2 Strategic (G2) and Group Gones & Sports announced today that they have entered into an agreement for G2 to provide advisory services pertaining to the potential development of a new state-of-the-art, multi-purpose arena in the Rhône-Alpes region of southern France, near Lyon, France’s second largest market
G2 Strategic’s principal, Marshall Glickman, provides business advisory services to several European clients, including Euroleague Basketball, the elite pan-European professional league and the French Tennis Federation.
“After leading both venue developments in Portland, Oregon, the $262 million Rose Quarter complex and the $38 million renovation of PGE Park, and advising on several others, I have always been interested in applying my experience in a European context,” said Glickman. “I have enjoyed an association with Gones & Sports dating back to the beginning of my engagement with Euroleague Basketball. I am excited about the unique opportunity to develop a new arena in one of Europe’s most special cities, because I think this will continue a trend of new venues throughout Europe.”
“We first met Marshall when he introduced us to the Euroleague Ticketing Program,” said Gones & Sports president Gilles Moretton. “We have had amazing results applying implementing Marshall’s recommendations and hands-on training, as our turnover from ticket sales has increased nearly 75% since we began working together. Now, we think it is time for the Rhône-Alpes region to have a world-class, multi-purpose venue that is on par with the best arenas in Europe.”
Antony Thiodet, General Director of Gones & Sports, added, “We have been working closely with Marshall for nearly three years and are now looking forward to working together on this ambitious project. In addition to his marketing and sales expertise, Marshall has spent a major part of his career developing venues, including development of public/private partnerships, design and financing. Combined with his recent experience in Europe and France, where he has shown a unique ability to adapt his American experiences to local cultures and customs, we think Marshall brings something special to the table.”
G2 began its engagement with Gones & Sports earlier this week, where he led a series of meetings with local media, politicians, business leaders and investors. A press conference was held in Lyon on Monday, November 14, attended by local and national media outlets.
G2 Strategic is a boutique advisory firm, specializing in sports business, venue development and marketing strategy. Other G2 Strategic clients include Euroleague Basketball, Tennis Canada and the French Tennis Federation.
Gones & Sports is a holding company that owns and manages three major sports properties—Adecco ASVEL basketball club, the Lyon Marathon and Grand Prix de Tennis de Lyon, a major ATP men’s tennis tournament.