THOUGHT LEADERSHIP SERIES: BUILDING THE RIGHT TEAM, PART 2 | | |
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Expert tactics for modernizing while operating
A three-part series on assembling the right team for construction, renovation, and expansion of stadiums and arenas
| | Your venue can’t pause operations—but it can transform. In the second installment of our “Building the Right Team” series, industry leader Bill Mykins, one of the nation’s foremost experts in venue modernizations, reveals how to assemble a team that keeps your facility live, safe, and profitable during upgrades. Discover why a skilled owner’s rep, phased delivery strategies, and retrofit-savvy architects can mean the difference between costly delays and seamless improvements. If you’re asking “how do you modernize and stay operational?”, click below for the full breakdown of operational continuity, phased planning, and tech integration essentials. | | PROJECT SPOTLIGHT: T-MOBILE PARK | |
Keeping a ballpark first-class for generations
B&D helps Mariners chart the future of their iconic ballpark
| | How do you keep a world-class ballpark thriving for the next 25 years? When the Seattle Mariners entered lease negotiations for T-Mobile Park, they partnered with B&D to develop a comprehensive capital improvement plan—from systems assessments and patron surveys to ROI analysis—that set the stage for a renewed lease and millions reinvested into the ballpark. The result: a clear roadmap to preserve the stadium’s legacy while ensuring it continues to deliver value for fans, partners, and the city. Read the full spotlight below. | | CONFERENCE UPDATE: SBJ AXS DRIVE | | L-R: Chris Dunlavey, David Almany, Aidan Lebow | |
Will you be in Los Angeles next week?
Meet our Venues Practice Group team members at SBJ's AXS Drive conference
| | Next week, Sept. 15-17, our Venues Practice Group will be at SBJ AXS DRIVE at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown. If you’re attending, Chris Dunlavey, David Almany, and Aidan Lebow would love to discuss what’s top of mind for you—whether it’s venues, facilities, athletic districts, and other hot topics shaping the industry. Click below to schedule a time with us: | | | |
Aylmer named to Front Office Sports' "Rising 25" class
Front Office Sports recently announced Ryan Aylmer as one if its "Rising 25, Class of 2025" honorees. Aylmer joined B&D's Venues Practice Group in July 2023, and has since contributed to venue planning and development across the practice. He holds a B.A. in Sports Management from the University of Michigan, and currently resides in Washington, D.C.
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Photo courtesy of Centers, LLC
Bundled model delivers savings, revenue boost
| | In its new case study, CENTERS shows how one university unlocked more than $500,000 in savings and boosted event revenue by 11 percent through unifying its recreation and student centers—along with event services—under a single management model. This bundled approach streamlined operations, optimized staffing, and delivered stronger financial returns, and it can be perfectly adapted for sports venues and arenas to achieve similar results. Click below to read the full case study. | | Established in 1998 by Brailsford & Dunlavey, CENTERS was the first company in the U.S. to provide campus center management services for campus life facilities including sports venues, recreation and wellness facilities, student centers, performing arts venues, conference facilities, and more. Visit or view for more info. | |
ABOUT B&D's VENUES PRACTICE GROUP
B&D's Venues Practice Group is a national leader in sports, entertainment, and event facility development. With a legacy of advising on over $10 billion in venue investments across the country, the group empowers public and private sector clients to unlock transformative opportunities through strategic planning, program management, and community-focused development. From Major League Baseball ballparks to community recreation centers and multi-use sports and entertainment districts, B&D’s collaborative approach ensures that each project reflects the unique goals and aspirations of its community. With deep expertise in feasibility, financial modeling, design oversight, and stakeholder engagement, B&D is committed to delivering venues that serve as economic catalysts and vibrant hubs for connection and pride. For more information go to venues.bdconnect.com.
| | © 2025 Brailsford & Dunlavey. All rights reserved. Venues News & Insights addresses the most pressing issues facing the development of sports venues and mixed-use athletic districts. It is published monthly by Brailsford & Dunlavey, one of the country's leading development advisory and program management firms in the sports venue sector. Visit B&D at bdconnect.com. To view our job openings, go to bdconnect.com/careers. To unsubscribe, click on "UNSUBSCRIBE" below. |  
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