THOUGHT LEADERSHIP SERIES: BUILDING THE RIGHT TEAM, PART 1 | | |
Nationals Park under construction. Photo credit: B&D
Building the right team for sports venue success
A three-part series on assembling the right team for stadium construction, renovation, and expansion
| | Launching a new stadium. Modernizing an aging facility. Expanding with ancillary development. Each of these projects comes with its own set of challenges—but all require assembling the right team to navigate complexity, manage risk, and deliver results. In our new three-part thought leadership series, Building the Right Team, B&D draws on decades of experience to break down who you need by your side at every stage. Part 1 kicks things off with an essay by our resident stadium construction expert, Bill Mykins, on two critical hires when building a new stadium. Click below for the full story. | | PROJECT SPOTLIGHT: CAREFIRST ARENA | | The interior of CareFirst Arena; photo credit: EventsDC | |
CareFirst Arena builds on a legacy of innovation
From game nights to community impact, this arena's story is just getting started
| | Rebranded in February 2025 under a decade-long naming-rights agreement and backed by a $2 million investment in community programs, Washington, D.C.’s CareFirst Arena (formerly the Entertainment & Sports Arena) is set to elevate its impact both on and off the court. Still home to the WNBA’s Washington Mystics, the Capital City Go-Go, and the Washington Wizards’ practice facility, the arena is doubling down on its role as a true community anchor through an expansion of initiatives that tackle workforce development, maternal health, and food insecurity. Click below to read the arena’s origin story and how B&D helped bring it to life as owner’s representative and program manager. | | |
Longwood's Joan Perry Brock Center waits for gameday. Photo courtesy of CENTERS, LLC.
Turnkey expertise delivers high-impact results
| | For venue owners looking to maximize performance, third-party partners offer a proven path to stronger revenue, smoother staffing, and broader community engagement. From Longwood University’s Joan Perry Brock Center in Virginia to the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire’s Sonnentag Center, CENTERS operates sports venues as high-performing assets through expert management, strategic programming, and intentional activation. Explore 10 ways the outsourced management model drives impactful results. | | 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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