Chicago-based real estate giant, Cushman & Wakefield is launching a new sports and entertainment practice to help clients develop athletic and entertainment venues, reported Crain’s Chicago Business. Competitors CBRE and JLL already have similar divisions.
The new business line will be led by managing directors Craig Cassell and Michael Sessa, both former college football players. Cushman executives in New York, San Francisco and Atlanta offices will also be part of the new practice. Cushman hopes to capitalize on the trend of venues being part of larger mixed-use developments.
Cushman will advise pro teams, colleges and other sports and entertainment venues on facilities and construction management, and how to finance deals.
Cushman told Crain’s it already leases retail space around the Sacramento Kings’ Golden 1 Center arena, provides facilities management services for the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and won a 100,000-square-foot leasing assignment for retail space at the new Golden State Warriors’ Chase Center in San Francisco.