Expert: Phil Nemy - 5/25/2010

Question
Recently I was hired by a wrestling league to sell their show to local venues. My problem lies here: Do venues even buy their shows? I have noticed from all my research into the subject that most, even well known arenas only offer a rental option. I can sell sell sell, but I'm just not sure if I have anything to sell here? Hoping I chose the right guy for this complicated question! Thanks Much!

Answer
Randy,

Thanks for writing. I've never worked in the world of wrestling, nor have I worked in the world of local arenas other than to rent their space for filming purposes. So I'm no expert in this area.

That said, I think you can either lease an arena or work with the arena management to develop a "partnership" for your appearance. Leasing is pretty clear - you find out what the arena charges for leasing the space, concessions, labor, etc. and try and negotiate the best rental price you can get. You then pay those costs up front, spend your own money to promote the event, and whatever you take at the door is yours.

Partnering with them would be having the arena to pay half the costs of the use of the space, labor, concessions, etc. with you paying the other half. They share in the cost of promotion and marketing and you both split the door. The key is to see if you can get a piece of the concessions as the arena makes big bucks here.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Phil