Arena, Television Agreements Reached; Bobcats, Time Warner Cable, Fox Sports
Strike Unprecedented Deal
CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 8, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Robert L. Johnson, Majority
Owner of Bobcats Sports & Entertainment (BSE), announced today the company has
reached an arena entitlements agreement with Time Warner Cable (TWC) and a
television broadcast rights deal with Fox Sports Net South (FSN South).
Charlotte Bobcats Arena will become Time Warner Cable Arena (TWCA), and
television broadcasts of Bobcats basketball games will switch from Carolina
News14 to FSN South beginning tonight when the Bobcats play the Minnesota
Timberwolves.
"This is the most significant development for Bobcats Sports & Entertainment
since the Bobcats were awarded the franchise in Charlotte. A joint
partnership with Time Warner Cable and FSN South represents a special and
unique relationship that will join two dynamic media and entertainment
companies in partnership with The Bobcats to better serve our fans and
demonstrate that we in the sports and media business are doing our part to
make The Charlotte Bobcats and the downtown arena a major success story for
the city of Charlotte and the surrounding region. The fact that we were able
to get this complex deal done demonstrates the commitment of our organization
to raise the profile of Charlotte and the excitement of Bobcats basketball,"
said BSE Majority Owner, Robert L. Johnson.
The agreements cap fifteen months of negotiations and are the first example of
a major professional sports franchise executing an arena entitlement/broadcast
rights deal simultaneously.
"This is a watershed moment for our organization, and a symbol of our
commitment to continually improve every facet of this business," said BSE
President and Chief Operating Officer, Fred Whitfield. "For more than a year
we worked closely with Time Warner Cable on ways to enhance our relationship
and bring FSN South into the fold as a key media partner, and I'm extremely
proud of the passion, integrity, hard work and teamwork displayed by all
parties that went into making this agreement a reality."
In addition to the name change, TWCA will be branded with interior and
exterior signage, logos wherever applicable on playing surfaces and a
dedicated concourse gallery that will enable TWC to showcase its programming
and products. Activation of these elements will occur in the coming months.
"It is very exciting to partner with the Bobcats and FSN South to benefit the
Charlotte community, our customers and our team. This partnership
demonstrates Time Warner Cable's strong commitment to the Charlotte community
and the Carolina region, and is a win for Time Warner Cable customers and
sports fans across the region who will now be able to enjoy watching Bobcats
games on FSN South. Charlotte is a vibrant and growing city, and Time Warner
Cable is thrilled to put our name permanently on its skyline. The Time Warner
Cable Arena will be an exciting entertainment venue for many events, for
people of all ages, for years to come, and we're proud it will carry our
name," said Time Warner Cable's Carolina Region Executive Vice President,
Carol Hevey.
FSN South will carry seventy Bobcats games each season beginning with the
2008-09 campaign, in addition to other team-related content.
"Our partnership with the Bobcats solidifies FSN South's position as the
leading destination for local sports fans in the Carolinas," said FSN South
and SportSouth Senior Vice President and General Manager, Jeff Genthner. "Our
commitment goes beyond televising games. We will present preseason coverage,
expanded pre- and post-game coverage, and original programs that will showcase
Bobcats players and coaches."
Not lost in these agreements is a real and measured impact on the team's
basketball operations.
"From a basketball standpoint, this partnership helps us build a stronger
connection to our fan base and a competitive advantage at home," said BSE
Managing Partner for Basketball Operations, Michael Jordan. "The power of an
energized crowd is unmistakable, and partners like Time Warner Cable and FSN
South, with their tremendous reach throughout the Carolinas, can help bring
that energy to the Arena every night."
About Time Warner Cable Arena
The premiere destination for live entertainment in the Carolinas, Time Warner
Cable Arena opened its doors on October 21, 2005 to a sold-out Rolling Stones
concert. Located in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, the city-owned and
BSE-managed facility is home to the National Basketball Association's
Charlotte Bobcats and East Coast Hockey League's Charlotte Checkers, as well
as major concerts and touring shows. The building was designed to reflect
Charlotte's diverse urban culture, and anchor Uptown's phenomenal recent
growth and development.
About Time Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable is the second-largest cable operator in the U.S., with
technologically advanced, well-clustered systems located mainly in five
geographic areas -- New York state (including New York City), the Carolinas,
Ohio, southern California (including Los Angeles) and Texas. As of December
31, 2007, Time Warner Cable served approximately 14.6 million customers who
subscribed to one or more of its video, high-speed data and voice services.
About FSN South
FSN South, the nation's largest regional sports network, reaches more than 12
million cable and satellite homes in seven states in the Southeast, and
SportSouth reaches more than nine million cable and satellite homes across a
six-state region. Through its affiliates and other Fox Networks Group-owned
networks, FSN reaches more than 70 million homes through 16 owned-and-operated
networks. Headquartered in Los Angeles, FSN serves as the television home to
more than half of all MLB, NHL and NBA teams based in the United States and
produces close to 5,000 live local events each year, including more than 1,600
in high definition.
SOURCE Bobcats Sports & Entertainment
Michael Thompson, Bobcats Sports & Entertainment Director of Corporate
Communications, +1-704-688-8856; Cindy Carrasquilla, Bobcats Sports &
Entertainment Manager of Corporate Communications, +1-704-688-8815; Sue
Breckenridge, Time Warner Cable VP Public Affairs/Carolinas Region,
+1-704-975-2952; Jessica Graham, Time Warner Cable Public Affairs
Director/Charlotte, +1-704-378-2958; Kate Hart, Fox Sports Net South Media
Relations Manager, +1-404-230-7318; Shannon Alderman, Fox Sports Net South
Media Relations Coordinator, +1-404-230-7361
