May 30, 2025 • 33 mins
Team insiders Ryan Mink and Garrett Downing report back after a hard hat tour of M&T Bank Stadium and talk with President Sashi Brown, Senior Vice President of Stadium Operations Rich Tamayo, and Senior Vice President of Marketing Brad Downs about what goes into the massive project.
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
Welcome into the Lounge presented by DraftKings. I'm Ryan mink
here with Garrett Downing, and we're actually not in the lounge.
We are in M ANDT Bank Stadium, fresh off our
Hard Hat Tour. We're still wearing the hard hats, still
got the glasses on. Yeah, never could be too safe.
They really did get my toe stuffed on. I learned
a lesson.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Yeah, they really did.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
I mean it was a legitimate construction zone, like there's
like wires hanging out and there's concrete being poured and
you had to wear the hard hat, the little vest,
the glasses we had to wear the ppe before we
went on the tour.
Speaker 1 (00:34):
With that, you looked like even a bigger sweave than
you always.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
That was part of the look. It's part of the ensemble.
Speaker 4 (00:40):
Anyway.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
The tour took us through phase two of the MT
Bank Stadium renovations and showed us what's gonna come online
for the twenty twenty five season, in which there are
a lot of things, and I'll just start by saying
it's gonna be sweet. It is gonna be really sweet.
And you know, every fan that comes Empty Banks Stadium
(01:01):
will be able to experience some of it. Some of it,
you know, are the clubs and whatnot in suites that
won't be for every fan, but it's really going to Already.
M ANDT Bank Stadium is one of the premier destinations
in the league. We have the best game day atmosphere
in my opinion, I'm not biased or anything, but this
continues to upgrade what has become now one of the
(01:26):
older stadiums in the league. But the Ravens have spent
a lot of money in Maryland Stadium Authority and and
has contributed a huge amount obviously to keep this one
of the premier destinations. And like as other teams build
new stadiums, MPTY Banks Stadium keeps upgrading to keep pace, yeah,
and stay ahead in many ways.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
Yeah, you see, there's been kind of this evolution of
stadiums over the past however, many years, basically since the
life of mc bank Stadium, where it's just like it
seems like there's these big new stadiums that have come online,
but then you also have some of these iconic stadiums
and MPTY Bay the Ravens are in the in the
history of the league like a younger team. But I
(02:05):
think that this stadium has kind of become a bit
more of a destination, like an iconic stadium one of
the fans and players talk about.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
And that's the long term vision, right is like the Ravens,
you know, you always have that option of, Okay, our
stadium is getting older. Do we build a new stadium
or do we pour money into keeping this one fresh
and new. And that's the path the Ravens have gone.
And I think that that's they've They've honestly done a
really good job over the years. And it's been continual.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
Right.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
It feels like almost every year we're doing more renovations
and building projects on the stadium. And it is a
massive project. It's almost a five hundred million dollar project.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
This is a three year process.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
The whole project is known as the Next Evolution of
Empty Bay Stadium and it's a three year project that
started last year. Last year, some of the things that
fans saw, a big one was the Miller like gatehouse
that came online, the hospitality space above that known as
the roof Deck, and then you also had the Black
Wing premium space, which is really really high end space
(03:11):
here in the stadium, as well as a number of
other updates, but those are something that jump out top
of mind. And then with this one, what we saw
today is this next evolution. So some of the things
that will run down the list here of things that
are taking place. A big one is the plaza entering
the stadium, the North Plaza.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
The plaza is.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
Really being completely reimagined, and this is coming from Raven's Walk.
So if you've been to Mtbay Stadium, as a lot
of our listeners have, this is basically you walk down
Ravens Walk and you enter through the gate there. That
area has completely transformed. It's a construction site right now.
But some of the things that are going in two
of them that will be ready for this season. One
(03:53):
of them is a team shop, and this is going
to be a three sixty five team shop that's open
not just on game days, but but you know, seven
days a week, and this is a place that fans.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Can come and get their sixty year exactly. This is
going to be open all year round.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
And then above that is a hospitality space that will
be used on game day and can be used outside
of game day for other events around the year. So
that's coming this year and then in twenty six, right
there on that plaza, there's going to be basically a
massive sports bar and stage venue space. So that whole
area is being transformed again with the team shop and
(04:30):
that hospitality space coming on this year, and.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
The team's store is going to be really sweet. I mean,
there hasn't. It's it's kind of crazy. There hasn't been
an all year destination where Ravens fans can go to
get year. I've had fans ask me like where do
I go, you know, and it's you've had to referm
elsewhere or online exactly. And so I think it's in
the store itself is going to be really really neat.
(04:53):
I mean, it's going to be very easy for customers.
They have the whole You put all your items in
a bag and it checks them out immediately, you drop
it into a hole and uh bucket, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
I'm sure they have a better word for technology, you know.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
And even when you first walk into the store, it
feels like you're a player entering the stadium. It has
the same kind of vibe to it. Uh So it's
just I think that the little touches that they've made
around the stadium, that was one thing during the tour today.
That stood out to me is all the fine little
details that have been thought through, you know, even including
(05:32):
on that that plaza, the roof of the hospitality area,
and then on the other side where the concert venue
will be. They're slightly slanted to create the look of
bird's wings, which is like, oh cool touch, Like when
you're walking down Ravenswalk, like you'll notice that it looks
kind of in the shape of a bird and so
and and even you know egg allan poe you know,
(05:56):
poem written on the ceiling that come down one of
the clubs.
Speaker 4 (06:00):
You know.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
I mean, it's just like all these little touches that
have been thought through and really make it feel very rich.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
I totally agree.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
And I'll give Brad downs or head of marketing and
his team kind of lead the branding side on that
to come up with even just the names of these spaces,
and they've done a really really good job of that.
One of the things that we saw today is it's
three new premium clubs. It's called the Raven, the Champions
Club presented by Tiro Price and the Trust presented by
Enmity Banks. So these are new premium club spaces that
(06:31):
the fans can basically purchase a membership too for the
entire year. And these spaces are essentially like they didn't
exist previously at the stadium that used to be dirt
storage that was dugout, and these spaces have now gone
underneath where the lower level seating bowl.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
Is pretty crazy. And then that excavation has been going
on for it was happening during last season.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Yeah, this was.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
Yeah, it's kind of wild to think that this is
the active construction site, even during last year when they're
playing games here and so, and just the amount that
they had to excavate under this stadium was an incredible feat.
I was even, you know, talking to to somebody and
they were saying that you couldn't get like massive excavators
(07:14):
in here because it was such a tight space. They
had to use like smaller machinery to get all that
dirt out and just just wild.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
Yeah, the construction piece of that is pretty fascinating. Here
in a little bit, we have a conversation with rich
To Mayo, who's our head of stadium offs, who provides
some perspective on that, which is which was interesting. And so, yeah,
those three new premium spaces are gonna be awesome. They're
going to be really really nice, high end spaces that
fans again can purchase membership too, And so that's gonna
(07:41):
be awesome to see that come online. One of the
areas actually it's that's that's pretty cool. It's right next
to where the players walk out to the field.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
Is in the Trust presented by M and T Bank.
Speaker 3 (07:52):
Basically, yeah, it's right next to that fifty yard line
tunnel next to the Ravens locker room. So on one
side you have that that you have the Ravens locker room.
On the other you have the Trust and fans. Inside
the Trust, there's like a window there, glass wall where
you can see the players make their way out to
the field from the locker room, and then you also
can see into the prep post postgame press conference room.
(08:14):
So like if you ask a bad question, they can
fans can pound their glass and heckle you.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
It's not it's not if it's when yeah, when.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
You ask about they can they can throw tomatoes at
you and boo you.
Speaker 4 (08:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
I look forward to that. Yeah, it'll be great.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
Yeah, that was part that's part of the selling pitche
of anyone's thinking. Trust membership. You can heckle Ryan make
after games.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
I mean people listening to Raven's press pass here my
bad questions. Yeah, you know, people watching online and whatnot.
Now a live audience.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
Pressure's on. Yeah, that'll be great. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (08:46):
So that that that is a really cool piece of
that space. And again, those those three new club spaces
are all going to be ready this year. Also, we
do have in the in the end zone, one of
the end zones here, the opposite of the Bubble Touchdown Club,
which has been there for years, is where the Legends
Suites presented by m T.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
Banker going in.
Speaker 3 (09:05):
So like that looks much different as I'm sitting here
actually looking at that space right now, there's new suites
and basically field level suites and seating that is going
to be in place there with the club behind it.
And so that'll be that'll when you walk that's something
like when you walk into the footprint of the stadium
and you actually step out and you look at the field,
you look at the in bowl, you'll notice that a
(09:26):
bit right away. It's a big change to like just
the aesthetic.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
Uh inside inside the bowl exactly. Yeah, And that's kind
of adjoining the Champions Club presented by t ro Price.
It's kind of the club and then the suites are
you know, one step or one step closer to the field.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (09:44):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
I thought one of the more interesting things was in
the Champions Club presented by ti or Price, that they
have two bars in there commemorating each of the raven
Super Bowl victories. Now, my question the Ring of tour
was what happens to when win the Super Bowl this year?
It was a size them up question? Yeah, size them
and and Brad Down's answer to that was we just
filowed that under good problems to have. Yes, so we
(10:05):
need to excavate more and blow this thing up to
build another bar for our next Super Bowl. We will
cross that bridge when you get there.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
Yeah, we'll find a spot for it.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
I like that, So so get the Phase three. So
phase three after we win it this year, sizne them up. Yeah,
that's phase three added to the list.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
I like you. I'm sure Brad'll be happy about that.
Speaker 3 (10:22):
Another thing just I want to mention is, uh, there's
a big thing that fans will also notice is like
just the investment in audio video technology.
Speaker 4 (10:31):
There are some.
Speaker 3 (10:32):
Massive video boards, the video the Ravens vision boards inside
the Bowl are remaining the sand Those are already some
of the best in the league, I think the best.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
But there's also.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
Other space around the stadium where we're putting in new
video boards.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
Like when you walk when you enter the stadium, that
will be another area where you every fan or yeah,
will immediately notice a big difference of like, whoa, this
has been upgraded. You know, you're just gonna have cool
visuals and the audio av stuff going on. It's gonna
look really cool. I mean, the sound great.
Speaker 3 (11:02):
The video board that they're putting in at gate A
is two hundred and sixteen feet wide. It's even wider
than Ravens Vision. So you look at the Ravens Vision boards,
you're like, man, these things are huge. The one that's
going at a gaate A on the concourse level is
even wider, so it covers a massive amount of space.
And so I think that that's just it's really gonna
make like the whole viewing experience literally from the time
(11:24):
you walk into the stadium.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
Yeah, it's gonna elevate it.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
And I thought too, where there's just gonna be more
spaces to enjoy the game day atmosphere within within and
outside of the stadium. Right, That's part of this entire
project is it's not just about the game. It's, of
course that's the centerpiece, right, but it's about the whole
experience around the game, right, get to the stadium earlier,
(11:49):
go to the those plaza those go to the gatehouse, right,
go to the retail shop, like, make a full day
out of it. And now the Ravens are gonna have
so many more offerings to fans, especially once that concert
venue comes online in twenty twenty six, they're going to
have so many more offerings. And then also during the game,
if you're around, going around the stadium or whatever, like
(12:11):
you want to get it out of your seat. Okay,
Now there's audio av boards, there's TVs everywhere where. You
don't miss any of the action. You know, you're not
looking at a tiny TV way up high. Yeah, Like
it's just I think it just makes the entire experience
here that much better.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
Totally agree with that.
Speaker 3 (12:28):
So after the Hard Hat tour today, we also had
a chance to talk with Raven's president, Sashi Brown. He
met with reporters and talked about these upgrades and the
process that's gone into it, as well as some other
big picture questions for this organization. So we'll go ahead
and play that conversation with Raven's president Sashi Brown.
Speaker 4 (12:45):
How how you're feeling right now? Is seeing phase two?
Speaker 3 (12:47):
You know we're getting there all these improvements.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
What's it like from your perspective?
Speaker 5 (12:51):
Grateful but also excited for the fans. You know, it's
just a great transformation on a rich and Brad took
you through all the details. A lot happening act on
top of some exciting elements last year and more to
come next year.
Speaker 4 (13:04):
So grateful and excited.
Speaker 6 (13:07):
The governor of the Maryland Stadium Authority playing this, did
you talk to them kind of say, look, I mean,
we want to be the premier stadium of the mid
Atlantic here, and they certainly were helpful in terms of
funding this.
Speaker 4 (13:17):
Right, Yeah, just one correction.
Speaker 5 (13:19):
We are the premiere stadum of the mid Atlantic already.
We wanted to make sure we invest to ensure that
moving forward.
Speaker 4 (13:26):
But we're really.
Speaker 5 (13:27):
Excited about the game day that we put on today,
and we're more excited about the game day that we'll
be able to put on, you know, in year's future
as we finish these renovations. It's really additive to what's
already you know, one of the NFL's top rated game.
Speaker 4 (13:42):
Because we're not bragging, we're humble.
Speaker 5 (13:43):
We try to put our head down to make sure
that we continue to invest in that and the experience
that our fans have when they come here to M
ANDT Bank Stadium.
Speaker 4 (13:50):
Got Sashi.
Speaker 7 (13:51):
Obviously with your role, there's a big community connection part
to that as well. Yeah, and so obviously we have
the fans that come to the casual fans. We know
we have dieher fans. What do you make just from
you're positioning and trying to connect with the community and
make sure the Raven State President that with these renovations
and the way you're enhancing this game, the experience that
extends beyond the stadium.
Speaker 5 (14:08):
I think the nice thing about these renovations is the
ability to activate the stadium in more dynamic ways three
hundred and sixty five days a year.
Speaker 4 (14:17):
We think this makes the stadium.
Speaker 5 (14:19):
More attractive for third party events soccer matches, concerts, and
we're working hard at that now that we'll be out
of renovation COVID renovation, it's been a long stretch for
us to get back.
Speaker 4 (14:30):
Into that business.
Speaker 5 (14:32):
But we also have the team store, and some opportunities
in some of our smaller spaces to bring some of
the community activities here. And you know, with that activity
comes jobs and all the things that we like to
give back to make sure that we're simpatical with the
community around us.
Speaker 4 (14:47):
So we're really excited about all those opportunities.
Speaker 8 (14:50):
KATCHI, what about the premiere NFL events? I mean, is
it this organization intention to try and host the Super Bowl,
try to host the NFL Draft, and how will some
of these renovations maybe to similar stories.
Speaker 5 (15:03):
Yeah, so the super Bowl circuit has you know, on
occasion when there's been new builds, even in cold weather
cities visited. We don't necessarily have that on our horizon.
Havn't said that.
Speaker 4 (15:18):
You guys have.
Speaker 5 (15:19):
Heard me mention that we are in talks and have
introduced to the NFL our interest in hosting a future
NFL draft, and we're syncing that up with some of
the other developments around the city time wise. We think
this renovation positions us really well to have the stadium
be a complemary piece of that. As you know, NFL drafts,
(15:42):
you know, really take over the better part of the city,
not just the stadium.
Speaker 4 (15:47):
But we think this really positions us great.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
What about some of.
Speaker 8 (15:49):
Those third party events you mentioned, hawsers, soccer games. How
have maybe the requirements for hosting change with the big
life with this stadium to where some of these amenities
might meet some of those needs.
Speaker 7 (16:04):
Now?
Speaker 5 (16:06):
Yeah, I you know, without getting too much of the
nuance of that, we certainly have been in touch with
FIFA and you know, other English Premier League teams and
and international soccer clubs to make sure that our stadium
you know, fits and we're we're you know, staying on
top of what allows us, uh, with some of those
those soccer match promoters but also concert promoters what they're
(16:27):
looking for.
Speaker 4 (16:27):
We're in constant communication with them.
Speaker 8 (16:29):
Sasha, you've been in his role as team president for
a couple of years now, are you starting to see uh,
kind of the fruition of some of the things that
you wanted to do when you took this position.
Speaker 7 (16:38):
Are you starting to see them start to pop up there?
Speaker 4 (16:41):
Yeah? You know, it's been a team effort.
Speaker 5 (16:43):
Brad and Rich and others have been a big part
of our design and our vision work with the stadium
authority and you know, they're they're two chairs, Tom Kelso
and and uh certainly Craig Thompson currently as well, and
make sure that what we're working toward fits for the
state but also for the team. And as we spoke
(17:05):
last year about how did we come to the design
and the masterplan, a lot of was visiting other stadiums NFL,
NBA Arena, looking internationally at some of the trends as well.
Speaker 4 (17:16):
We are really excited again about where M and T.
Speaker 5 (17:19):
Banks stadium sits today, and with these additional elements that
are provided by the renovation joint venture between us and
the state, we think it positions us to be one
of the best, if not the best stadium in the
NFL for a long time.
Speaker 9 (17:32):
Sashi Brand and Rich were just talking about the positive
feedback that they received from fans with the first phase
of renovations. Just with that, how have you seen the
game day experience change?
Speaker 5 (17:43):
It's hard for me to be everywhere, but I know
there's a lot more places I'd like to be on
game day for sure, And we're really deep into our
programming discussions. So for us, you know, all the creative
juices are flowing about how we can bring a stadium
and fan experience, as I heard Brad mentioned in pregame,
during game, and postgame, to life in some really dynamic, fun, exciting,
(18:07):
unique ways that pay homage to Baltimore and Maryland in
this mid Atlantic region as well.
Speaker 4 (18:14):
So I think some really exciting things on the horizon.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
The Orioles ownership has been in place for a year.
Has it been working with them?
Speaker 10 (18:20):
Obviously they have the access to the same kind of funds.
Speaker 4 (18:23):
That you guys do.
Speaker 5 (18:24):
Yeah, we haven't spent a ton of time in terms
of how they plan to use the funds, but they've
been great. You know, Katie Griggs and certainly mister Ruben's
sigin have been an awesome so but off too a
good start with them.
Speaker 8 (18:36):
Kind of talking about some most premiere events would maybe
the vision if the MLB All Star Game is hosted
here sometimes the future, do you anticipate M and T
Bank would be a part of some of that hosting
and perhaps kind of lend some of your footspace to that.
Speaker 5 (18:50):
Probably too prettymature for me to comment on that. We'd
certainly be open to helping to bring to life, you know,
any event that's here on the complex working well with those.
Speaker 4 (19:01):
As I said, so I'd leave it at that, Sasha.
Speaker 10 (19:06):
You know, last year, one of the renovations you guys
did for just you know, the past season was kind
of premium spaces.
Speaker 7 (19:11):
How would you boil down when you guys did are
doing for the coming system.
Speaker 5 (19:15):
Yeah, I would. I think I saw you write that.
I'm not sure that that's actually correct. I think last
year we had this conversation. But like the gatehouse is open,
the field seats that we have really open to everybody. Likewise,
a lot of what you'll see the technology on the concourses,
the plaza that we're going to bring to life this
year and next year are all elements that are going
(19:35):
to be available for all the fans. And you'll start
to see some of our work upstairs on the concourses
as well come to life, and so from concessions and
to just the everyday fan experience. Certainly, certainly what's happened
over the last twenty years and sport venues, professional sports venues,
college sports venues now has been to bring more offerings
(19:57):
and what's called premium or club spaces, more different types
of suite, varied programs and products. But a lot of
you know, kind of our investment here is going to
really touch every fan that comes into the building, like
the gatehouse and some of the other elements that you
saw today, so.
Speaker 3 (20:12):
As you can hear from him, a couple of things
that stand out. Obviously, the fan experience is something that
is top of mind as the Ravens go through this
process with these renovations, and so they're thinking about that
both in terms of Ravens games on Sundays and Mondays
and Thursdays, but also bringing in additional events to this
space and to the stadium to the city. That's definitely
something that could be on the horizon and one of which,
(20:35):
as Sashi has mentioned previously but talked about it again
in that conversation with reporters, is the NFL Draft that
that could come to Baltimore, and the Raves are having
ongoing conversations with the city about potentially bringing a draft
to Baltimore, which wuld be awesome.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
Yeah, I mean that would be really sick. I thought
it looked really cool in Green Bay this past year,
and Baltimore would be a great destination for the NFL Draft.
And now I think that these upgrades, with all those
spaces outside that we're talking about, it just makes the
whole experience. You know, the stadium can be part of
(21:10):
that experience. I don't know where they would exactly hold
the draft, but the stadium would be part of that
and is now another selling item, a selling point of saying, hey,
you know we have these really cool spaces where fans
can go, and so yeah, I think it only makes
the Ravens bid for the NFL Draft that much better.
Speaker 3 (21:29):
So twenty twenty six, the NFL Draft is going to
be in Pittsburgh, and then twenty twenty.
Speaker 1 (21:33):
Second, we better get it at Pittsburgh, gets it? I mean,
come on, yeah, the AFC North rivalry and then well
let's go. Cleveland has had it and now Pittsburgh will
have it. I swear Sincinnati, it's the draft. I'm gonna
be salty.
Speaker 3 (21:45):
So it's in Pittsburgh in twenty six, and twenty twenty
seven is in Washington, DC. And that's as far out
as it's been announced at this point. So in addition
to hearing from Sashi, we also heard from Raven's senior
vice president of Marketing Brad Downs and senior vice president
of stadium Operations, Rich Tomayo. So let's go ahead and
play those I had conversations with both of them after
(22:06):
the hard Hat tour. So that's played both of those,
starting with Brad and then we'll go to rich Well Brod.
Just the table set here, can you provide fans and
update on where we are in this process and what all.
Speaker 6 (22:16):
Was happening here?
Speaker 10 (22:17):
Yeah, so this is year two of phase two of
three phases of our stadium renovation project. So quite a
number of projects coming online in twenty twenty five after
the projects in twenty twenty four, so unveiled a lot
of the gave a sneak peak of those twenty twenty
five projects today.
Speaker 3 (22:36):
And in terms of the process here, how much are
you thinking about the fan experience as.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
You go through all this development.
Speaker 10 (22:43):
It's at the top of the list. Thinking about the
fan experience on game day leads all of our conversations
through this whole renovation project. You know, game day leads
the thought process for the experience how fans are going
to experience game day? But then right behind that is
how is this going to improve M and T Bank
(23:04):
Stadium year round and how is it going to give
us opportunity to let fans experience M and T Bank
Stadium year round? Let events come to the stadium year
round that attract a different fan that come to the stadium.
So really, with the way this is shaped up is
leading the way with game day and then really making
the building enhanced. Three sixty five has been a nice combination.
Speaker 3 (23:28):
So far as you talk about three sixty five, one
of the things we saw was the team store in
the hospitality space above it. How will that transform operations
here on a day to day basis.
Speaker 10 (23:36):
What's going to get fans in the habit of considering
M and T Bank Stadium a destination on a regular basis.
Speaker 4 (23:43):
Being able to have a team.
Speaker 10 (23:44):
Store open whether you're whether you work downtown and you
want to swing by and grab something, whether you're heading
to an OS game and want to stop and grab
something on the way before our games, It just really
starts to retrain that thought process and then couple that
with the other events that will host here year round.
It just really completes that picture of growing the three
(24:05):
sixty five presents of the stadium and.
Speaker 3 (24:07):
Brad The team store and that hospitality space will be
done this year, and then the additional renovations to Gata
will come online in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 4 (24:14):
That's correct.
Speaker 10 (24:15):
So once twenty twenty six comes, the full new North
Plaza experience that we've talked about will really come to life.
And that's what I mean. I'm really excited about that
when that comes online. It's five different venues within that
new North Plaza, So the North Plaza in and of
itself can host events up to five thousand people and
(24:35):
really just add a different layer of experience that we
can provide to our fans on game day and beyond.
Speaker 3 (24:41):
One of the things you saw today with these new
club spaces which didn't even exist from a space standpoint previously.
How excited are you and is the organization about what
those spaces will out.
Speaker 10 (24:53):
Yeah, I mean it's pretty incredible to see that was
all dirt before, which to make that out of nothing
was really great. But really excited about adding that as
a unique experience that fans can add on to their
game day the fans who are interested in that. We've
seen that trend around the league in some of these
new stadiums is having products available for the fans who
(25:14):
do want to add a little more onto their game
day experience from a premium standpoint. Our only premium offerings
here in the building until these clubs open are really
business company partnerships through our suite levels and day of
game suites things like that. What this does is give
the opportunity that no matter where you sit in the stadium,
you can add this experience under your ticket onto your
(25:36):
game day activities.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
So in I know this, this work is very much ongoing.
As soon as we wrap here, the construction equipment is
probably just start rolling again. But what do you think
fans will notice the most when they come to the
stadium this fall for a Ravens game. What do you
think is going to jump out today?
Speaker 10 (25:51):
Well, the starting you know, the majority of our fans
come in the north the gate ay on the north
side of the stadium, and they're going to see a
brand new building there, and then they're going to another
one that's coming up, so they're going to notice that
right away. And then when you get into the seating bowl,
you're going.
Speaker 4 (26:05):
To notice the West End zone.
Speaker 10 (26:06):
You know, the West End zone has a new look
with the Legend suites that are right there on the field.
And then you'll see some differences around the concourse. You know,
all of the av that we have going on this
year and next year, six thousand square feet of LED
this year and over one hundred new TVs that will
improve that av experience on the lower concourse and the
upper concourse. So I think those are the most notable
(26:28):
things that that fans will see when they come back
in what sixty some odd days. Here, wait a yep,
thanks you?
Speaker 3 (26:36):
Here, can you provide a status update? And where are
we in this process? Like there's a lot happening.
Speaker 4 (26:42):
How far along are we now?
Speaker 11 (26:43):
We feel really good about where the twenty twenty five
projects are. And again what we just saw today with
the the North Plaza or when it comes to the
Northeast building in the retail location on the lower level
and the hospitality space in the upper level, we feel
good of the timing of where that is right. That's
a really big experience for our guest. We're also we
also feel as I walk every Friday, right, so I
(27:05):
look at the projects and I know when we did
our hard at tour last year. I definitely feel further
along this year, so a little less stressed and a
little less stress when it comes to the events that
we have leading up to the season. So last year
were back up against the soccer match on August sixth.
This year, we're August seventh with a preseason, will give
us that extra day to be ready.
Speaker 3 (27:25):
Chris, can you just give fans an idea of what
it takes to pull this off? I know you start
with basically the day after the season did how many
people are working on this project? Like? What is all
happening behind the scenes here? The fans don't get the sea?
Speaker 11 (27:38):
Yeah, it's you know, it all started a couple of
years back with the design process and it's fun to
see that process come to where we are today.
Speaker 4 (27:46):
We have what it feels like thousands of people.
Speaker 11 (27:47):
Working at this stadium, right, but I believe it's a
little bit maybe under a thousand between all the trades.
Speaker 3 (27:52):
Right.
Speaker 11 (27:52):
So with Gilbain, they're the construction manager who's been organizing
each trade as it's needed through the process. So as
you know, you start out with some of the shelling
out of the spaces, right, you move on to the
electric work, plumbing, and it's fun to watch, right because
every week as you walk through the space, as you
see something new and right now on our service level,
all the bar areas and things are going in, so
(28:14):
you can start to see them start to pull in
some equipment. So it's just it's a really fun process
and the crew that's been working here's been working hard
to make sure we're done and ready for the season.
Speaker 3 (28:24):
One of the projects that was really important, but the
definition of a dirty job was digging out the dirt.
Speaker 2 (28:29):
We call it dirt storage.
Speaker 3 (28:30):
Yes, what went into clearing out a whole area of
the stadium that was nothing but dirt and making it
now a premium space within this st.
Speaker 11 (28:38):
So it's always fun to build on something called dirt
storage in the past. So at the beginning of last season,
we actually started the excavation process. That process actually starts
with the design work, so you look through kind of
the bullprint blueprints and see what's there, what can we
run into? Are there any issues with some of the infrastructure,
But you really don't know that until you get into it. So, yes,
as we excavated a lot of dirt. Are thousands and
(29:01):
thousands of pounds of dirt. We did have situations where
we ran into certain plates that weren't on certain drawings,
so you had to use different removal methods.
Speaker 7 (29:11):
Uh.
Speaker 11 (29:11):
So again doesn't sound them, but very exciting when you're
in the field because that's a new issue that you
want to get and push through. But it's uh, it's
it's fun to build in what were called dirt storage.
Speaker 4 (29:23):
In the past.
Speaker 3 (29:24):
The Ravens have made an investment in the State has
made this investment in this stadium. Some some places go
with new stadiums with the Ravens and the state have
made the investment into keeping this stadium as the home
for the long term. You know, what does that say
about this ability?
Speaker 2 (29:37):
The ability of this stadium to maintain.
Speaker 3 (29:39):
Its spot is a really well respected known stadium in
the NFL because.
Speaker 11 (29:45):
The bones at the stadium are so great and the
way it was built of really football centric.
Speaker 12 (29:49):
Uh.
Speaker 11 (29:49):
The decision to invest in the stadium and really make
it keep it up with the joneses of the experience
of kind of premium and uh new new things that
GA fans expect, like new LEDs and things that we've
done throughout the years, was really important for us versus
kind of searching and looking at is there a new
stadium that can still fulfill what we fulfill here at
Mtbak State, which which I think again best experienced in
(30:11):
the NFL.
Speaker 3 (30:12):
You're listening to the Lage podcast we're coming to you
from the Sea Geek Studio. We also want to mention
our partners with Draftking sports Book. They are an official
sports betting partner of the Baltimore Ravens Draftking Sportsbook. The
Crown is yours. So just some good perspective there on
I think process, what it takes to pull something like
this off, you know, hearing from Rich, I'm just kind
of the construction ins it outs that takes to pull
(30:33):
off a massive renovation like this is kind of fascinating.
I mean, as you said, like you have about a
thousand people working here every single day around like basically
around the clock to try to get this thing ready
for the upcoming season.
Speaker 4 (30:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (30:46):
I mean I remember last summer walking by the Gatehouse
when it was still under construction while going to an
Orioles game, and we're coming on the dead coming up
to the deadline to the first game, and I'm saying, Holy,
how are they going to finish this in time? Like
there's no way, there's no way, And it got done.
Speaker 4 (31:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (31:07):
It's really just you know, as we're walking around today
on the Hard Hat tour and you're looking around and
you're saying, there's a lot of work to be done.
There's a lot that's been done, but there's a lot
of work to be done. I mean, it's it's crazy
like they you know, even pausing construction for a hard
hat tour so a beam didn't fall and Garrett's head
probably took some convincing because like they're working around the clock.
(31:29):
I mean after a hard hat tours, I noticed more
people out here are not working after so you know,
it's like they are working around the clock to get
this project done and it's a it's a huge venture.
Speaker 4 (31:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (31:42):
You know, I remodeled my kitchen a number of years ago.
I think it's a little bit different than that.
Speaker 3 (31:47):
Yeah, well but that probably had its own delays.
Speaker 1 (31:51):
Because I was a construction manager.
Speaker 2 (31:53):
It's a problem. The problem was just the general contractor
on that one.
Speaker 12 (31:58):
Yes, but yeah, I want to go down that road, Scars, Scars.
But yeah, so this is again, this is really exciting.
Speaker 3 (32:08):
I think that fans are going to enjoy what this
place has to offer for twenty twenty five and beyond.
And the construction crew is, as Ryan mentioned, like they're
back to work right now getting this place ready for
the upcoming season. And the countdown is on the construction
is ongoing, and it was fun to get a sneak
peak at all of that today.
Speaker 1 (32:26):
Seventy days until the Ravens first preseason game, Yeah, seventy days.
I bet Rich knows that number.
Speaker 3 (32:32):
I'm sure he does, Rich and so and then back
to football. Ravens are continuing OTA, so those will continue
next week. So we're going to continue to break all
that down.
Speaker 1 (32:43):
Now Starks signed his contract yes now yep, officially under contract,
officially officially officially a Raven Yes.
Speaker 3 (32:49):
So there's a lot that's happening on the football side
of things and on the business side of things. So
we're going to continue to break down ots. We're going
to be watching all of those practices over the course
of the next few weeks, so stay tuned.
Speaker 2 (33:00):
Lots more to come on the podcast.
Speaker 3 (33:01):
Thank you so much for listening, and we'll talk with
you again next week
Welcome into the Lounge presented by DraftKings. I'm Ryan mink
here with Garrett Downing, and we're actually not in the lounge.
We are in M ANDT Bank Stadium, fresh off our
Hard Hat Tour. We're still wearing the hard hats, still
got the glasses on. Yeah, never could be too safe.
They really did get my toe stuffed on. I learned
a lesson.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Yeah, they really did.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
I mean it was a legitimate construction zone, like there's
like wires hanging out and there's concrete being poured and
you had to wear the hard hat, the little vest,
the glasses we had to wear the ppe before we
went on the tour.
Speaker 1 (00:34):
With that, you looked like even a bigger sweave than
you always.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
That was part of the look. It's part of the ensemble.
Speaker 4 (00:40):
Anyway.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
The tour took us through phase two of the MT
Bank Stadium renovations and showed us what's gonna come online
for the twenty twenty five season, in which there are
a lot of things, and I'll just start by saying
it's gonna be sweet. It is gonna be really sweet.
And you know, every fan that comes Empty Banks Stadium
(01:01):
will be able to experience some of it. Some of it,
you know, are the clubs and whatnot in suites that
won't be for every fan, but it's really going to Already.
M ANDT Bank Stadium is one of the premier destinations
in the league. We have the best game day atmosphere
in my opinion, I'm not biased or anything, but this
continues to upgrade what has become now one of the
(01:26):
older stadiums in the league. But the Ravens have spent
a lot of money in Maryland Stadium Authority and and
has contributed a huge amount obviously to keep this one
of the premier destinations. And like as other teams build
new stadiums, MPTY Banks Stadium keeps upgrading to keep pace, yeah,
and stay ahead in many ways.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
Yeah, you see, there's been kind of this evolution of
stadiums over the past however, many years, basically since the
life of mc bank Stadium, where it's just like it
seems like there's these big new stadiums that have come online,
but then you also have some of these iconic stadiums
and MPTY Bay the Ravens are in the in the
history of the league like a younger team. But I
(02:05):
think that this stadium has kind of become a bit
more of a destination, like an iconic stadium one of
the fans and players talk about.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
And that's the long term vision, right is like the Ravens,
you know, you always have that option of, Okay, our
stadium is getting older. Do we build a new stadium
or do we pour money into keeping this one fresh
and new. And that's the path the Ravens have gone.
And I think that that's they've They've honestly done a
really good job over the years. And it's been continual.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
Right.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
It feels like almost every year we're doing more renovations
and building projects on the stadium. And it is a
massive project. It's almost a five hundred million dollar project.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
This is a three year process.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
The whole project is known as the Next Evolution of
Empty Bay Stadium and it's a three year project that
started last year. Last year, some of the things that
fans saw, a big one was the Miller like gatehouse
that came online, the hospitality space above that known as
the roof Deck, and then you also had the Black
Wing premium space, which is really really high end space
(03:11):
here in the stadium, as well as a number of
other updates, but those are something that jump out top
of mind. And then with this one, what we saw
today is this next evolution. So some of the things
that will run down the list here of things that
are taking place. A big one is the plaza entering
the stadium, the North Plaza.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
The plaza is.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
Really being completely reimagined, and this is coming from Raven's Walk.
So if you've been to Mtbay Stadium, as a lot
of our listeners have, this is basically you walk down
Ravens Walk and you enter through the gate there. That
area has completely transformed. It's a construction site right now.
But some of the things that are going in two
of them that will be ready for this season. One
(03:53):
of them is a team shop, and this is going
to be a three sixty five team shop that's open
not just on game days, but but you know, seven
days a week, and this is a place that fans.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Can come and get their sixty year exactly. This is
going to be open all year round.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
And then above that is a hospitality space that will
be used on game day and can be used outside
of game day for other events around the year. So
that's coming this year and then in twenty six, right
there on that plaza, there's going to be basically a
massive sports bar and stage venue space. So that whole
area is being transformed again with the team shop and
(04:30):
that hospitality space coming on this year, and.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
The team's store is going to be really sweet. I mean,
there hasn't. It's it's kind of crazy. There hasn't been
an all year destination where Ravens fans can go to
get year. I've had fans ask me like where do
I go, you know, and it's you've had to referm
elsewhere or online exactly. And so I think it's in
the store itself is going to be really really neat.
(04:53):
I mean, it's going to be very easy for customers.
They have the whole You put all your items in
a bag and it checks them out immediately, you drop
it into a hole and uh bucket, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
I'm sure they have a better word for technology, you know.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
And even when you first walk into the store, it
feels like you're a player entering the stadium. It has
the same kind of vibe to it. Uh So it's
just I think that the little touches that they've made
around the stadium, that was one thing during the tour today.
That stood out to me is all the fine little
details that have been thought through, you know, even including
(05:32):
on that that plaza, the roof of the hospitality area,
and then on the other side where the concert venue
will be. They're slightly slanted to create the look of
bird's wings, which is like, oh cool touch, Like when
you're walking down Ravenswalk, like you'll notice that it looks
kind of in the shape of a bird and so
and and even you know egg allan poe you know,
(05:56):
poem written on the ceiling that come down one of
the clubs.
Speaker 4 (06:00):
You know.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
I mean, it's just like all these little touches that
have been thought through and really make it feel very rich.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
I totally agree.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
And I'll give Brad downs or head of marketing and
his team kind of lead the branding side on that
to come up with even just the names of these spaces,
and they've done a really really good job of that.
One of the things that we saw today is it's
three new premium clubs. It's called the Raven, the Champions
Club presented by Tiro Price and the Trust presented by
Enmity Banks. So these are new premium club spaces that
(06:31):
the fans can basically purchase a membership too for the
entire year. And these spaces are essentially like they didn't
exist previously at the stadium that used to be dirt
storage that was dugout, and these spaces have now gone
underneath where the lower level seating bowl.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
Is pretty crazy. And then that excavation has been going
on for it was happening during last season.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Yeah, this was.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
Yeah, it's kind of wild to think that this is
the active construction site, even during last year when they're
playing games here and so, and just the amount that
they had to excavate under this stadium was an incredible feat.
I was even, you know, talking to to somebody and
they were saying that you couldn't get like massive excavators
(07:14):
in here because it was such a tight space. They
had to use like smaller machinery to get all that
dirt out and just just wild.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
Yeah, the construction piece of that is pretty fascinating. Here
in a little bit, we have a conversation with rich
To Mayo, who's our head of stadium offs, who provides
some perspective on that, which is which was interesting. And so, yeah,
those three new premium spaces are gonna be awesome. They're
going to be really really nice, high end spaces that
fans again can purchase membership too, And so that's gonna
(07:41):
be awesome to see that come online. One of the
areas actually it's that's that's pretty cool. It's right next
to where the players walk out to the field.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
Is in the Trust presented by M and T Bank.
Speaker 3 (07:52):
Basically, yeah, it's right next to that fifty yard line
tunnel next to the Ravens locker room. So on one
side you have that that you have the Ravens locker room.
On the other you have the Trust and fans. Inside
the Trust, there's like a window there, glass wall where
you can see the players make their way out to
the field from the locker room, and then you also
can see into the prep post postgame press conference room.
(08:14):
So like if you ask a bad question, they can
fans can pound their glass and heckle you.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
It's not it's not if it's when yeah, when.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
You ask about they can they can throw tomatoes at
you and boo you.
Speaker 4 (08:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
I look forward to that. Yeah, it'll be great.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
Yeah, that was part that's part of the selling pitche
of anyone's thinking. Trust membership. You can heckle Ryan make
after games.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
I mean people listening to Raven's press pass here my
bad questions. Yeah, you know, people watching online and whatnot.
Now a live audience.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
Pressure's on. Yeah, that'll be great. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (08:46):
So that that that is a really cool piece of
that space. And again, those those three new club spaces
are all going to be ready this year. Also, we
do have in the in the end zone, one of
the end zones here, the opposite of the Bubble Touchdown Club,
which has been there for years, is where the Legends
Suites presented by m T.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
Banker going in.
Speaker 3 (09:05):
So like that looks much different as I'm sitting here
actually looking at that space right now, there's new suites
and basically field level suites and seating that is going
to be in place there with the club behind it.
And so that'll be that'll when you walk that's something
like when you walk into the footprint of the stadium
and you actually step out and you look at the field,
you look at the in bowl, you'll notice that a
(09:26):
bit right away. It's a big change to like just
the aesthetic.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
Uh inside inside the bowl exactly. Yeah, And that's kind
of adjoining the Champions Club presented by t ro Price.
It's kind of the club and then the suites are
you know, one step or one step closer to the field.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (09:44):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
I thought one of the more interesting things was in
the Champions Club presented by ti or Price, that they
have two bars in there commemorating each of the raven
Super Bowl victories. Now, my question the Ring of tour
was what happens to when win the Super Bowl this year?
It was a size them up question? Yeah, size them
and and Brad Down's answer to that was we just
filowed that under good problems to have. Yes, so we
(10:05):
need to excavate more and blow this thing up to
build another bar for our next Super Bowl. We will
cross that bridge when you get there.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
Yeah, we'll find a spot for it.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
I like that, So so get the Phase three. So
phase three after we win it this year, sizne them up. Yeah,
that's phase three added to the list.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
I like you. I'm sure Brad'll be happy about that.
Speaker 3 (10:22):
Another thing just I want to mention is, uh, there's
a big thing that fans will also notice is like
just the investment in audio video technology.
Speaker 4 (10:31):
There are some.
Speaker 3 (10:32):
Massive video boards, the video the Ravens vision boards inside
the Bowl are remaining the sand Those are already some
of the best in the league, I think the best.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
But there's also.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
Other space around the stadium where we're putting in new
video boards.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
Like when you walk when you enter the stadium, that
will be another area where you every fan or yeah,
will immediately notice a big difference of like, whoa, this
has been upgraded. You know, you're just gonna have cool
visuals and the audio av stuff going on. It's gonna
look really cool. I mean, the sound great.
Speaker 3 (11:02):
The video board that they're putting in at gate A
is two hundred and sixteen feet wide. It's even wider
than Ravens Vision. So you look at the Ravens Vision boards,
you're like, man, these things are huge. The one that's
going at a gaate A on the concourse level is
even wider, so it covers a massive amount of space.
And so I think that that's just it's really gonna
make like the whole viewing experience literally from the time
(11:24):
you walk into the stadium.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
Yeah, it's gonna elevate it.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
And I thought too, where there's just gonna be more
spaces to enjoy the game day atmosphere within within and
outside of the stadium. Right, That's part of this entire
project is it's not just about the game. It's, of
course that's the centerpiece, right, but it's about the whole
experience around the game, right, get to the stadium earlier,
(11:49):
go to the those plaza those go to the gatehouse, right,
go to the retail shop, like, make a full day
out of it. And now the Ravens are gonna have
so many more offerings to fans, especially once that concert
venue comes online in twenty twenty six, they're going to
have so many more offerings. And then also during the game,
if you're around, going around the stadium or whatever, like
(12:11):
you want to get it out of your seat. Okay,
Now there's audio av boards, there's TVs everywhere where. You
don't miss any of the action. You know, you're not
looking at a tiny TV way up high. Yeah, Like
it's just I think it just makes the entire experience
here that much better.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
Totally agree with that.
Speaker 3 (12:28):
So after the Hard Hat tour today, we also had
a chance to talk with Raven's president, Sashi Brown. He
met with reporters and talked about these upgrades and the
process that's gone into it, as well as some other
big picture questions for this organization. So we'll go ahead
and play that conversation with Raven's president Sashi Brown.
Speaker 4 (12:45):
How how you're feeling right now? Is seeing phase two?
Speaker 3 (12:47):
You know we're getting there all these improvements.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
What's it like from your perspective?
Speaker 5 (12:51):
Grateful but also excited for the fans. You know, it's
just a great transformation on a rich and Brad took
you through all the details. A lot happening act on
top of some exciting elements last year and more to
come next year.
Speaker 4 (13:04):
So grateful and excited.
Speaker 6 (13:07):
The governor of the Maryland Stadium Authority playing this, did
you talk to them kind of say, look, I mean,
we want to be the premier stadium of the mid
Atlantic here, and they certainly were helpful in terms of
funding this.
Speaker 4 (13:17):
Right, Yeah, just one correction.
Speaker 5 (13:19):
We are the premiere stadum of the mid Atlantic already.
We wanted to make sure we invest to ensure that
moving forward.
Speaker 4 (13:26):
But we're really.
Speaker 5 (13:27):
Excited about the game day that we put on today,
and we're more excited about the game day that we'll
be able to put on, you know, in year's future
as we finish these renovations. It's really additive to what's
already you know, one of the NFL's top rated game.
Speaker 4 (13:42):
Because we're not bragging, we're humble.
Speaker 5 (13:43):
We try to put our head down to make sure
that we continue to invest in that and the experience
that our fans have when they come here to M
ANDT Bank Stadium.
Speaker 4 (13:50):
Got Sashi.
Speaker 7 (13:51):
Obviously with your role, there's a big community connection part
to that as well. Yeah, and so obviously we have
the fans that come to the casual fans. We know
we have dieher fans. What do you make just from
you're positioning and trying to connect with the community and
make sure the Raven State President that with these renovations
and the way you're enhancing this game, the experience that
extends beyond the stadium.
Speaker 5 (14:08):
I think the nice thing about these renovations is the
ability to activate the stadium in more dynamic ways three
hundred and sixty five days a year.
Speaker 4 (14:17):
We think this makes the stadium.
Speaker 5 (14:19):
More attractive for third party events soccer matches, concerts, and
we're working hard at that now that we'll be out
of renovation COVID renovation, it's been a long stretch for
us to get back.
Speaker 4 (14:30):
Into that business.
Speaker 5 (14:32):
But we also have the team store, and some opportunities
in some of our smaller spaces to bring some of
the community activities here. And you know, with that activity
comes jobs and all the things that we like to
give back to make sure that we're simpatical with the
community around us.
Speaker 4 (14:47):
So we're really excited about all those opportunities.
Speaker 8 (14:50):
KATCHI, what about the premiere NFL events? I mean, is
it this organization intention to try and host the Super Bowl,
try to host the NFL Draft, and how will some
of these renovations maybe to similar stories.
Speaker 5 (15:03):
Yeah, so the super Bowl circuit has you know, on
occasion when there's been new builds, even in cold weather
cities visited. We don't necessarily have that on our horizon.
Havn't said that.
Speaker 4 (15:18):
You guys have.
Speaker 5 (15:19):
Heard me mention that we are in talks and have
introduced to the NFL our interest in hosting a future
NFL draft, and we're syncing that up with some of
the other developments around the city time wise. We think
this renovation positions us really well to have the stadium
be a complemary piece of that. As you know, NFL drafts,
(15:42):
you know, really take over the better part of the city,
not just the stadium.
Speaker 4 (15:47):
But we think this really positions us great.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
What about some of.
Speaker 8 (15:49):
Those third party events you mentioned, hawsers, soccer games. How
have maybe the requirements for hosting change with the big
life with this stadium to where some of these amenities
might meet some of those needs.
Speaker 7 (16:04):
Now?
Speaker 5 (16:06):
Yeah, I you know, without getting too much of the
nuance of that, we certainly have been in touch with
FIFA and you know, other English Premier League teams and
and international soccer clubs to make sure that our stadium
you know, fits and we're we're you know, staying on
top of what allows us, uh, with some of those
those soccer match promoters but also concert promoters what they're
(16:27):
looking for.
Speaker 4 (16:27):
We're in constant communication with them.
Speaker 8 (16:29):
Sasha, you've been in his role as team president for
a couple of years now, are you starting to see uh,
kind of the fruition of some of the things that
you wanted to do when you took this position.
Speaker 7 (16:38):
Are you starting to see them start to pop up there?
Speaker 4 (16:41):
Yeah? You know, it's been a team effort.
Speaker 5 (16:43):
Brad and Rich and others have been a big part
of our design and our vision work with the stadium
authority and you know, they're they're two chairs, Tom Kelso
and and uh certainly Craig Thompson currently as well, and
make sure that what we're working toward fits for the
state but also for the team. And as we spoke
(17:05):
last year about how did we come to the design
and the masterplan, a lot of was visiting other stadiums NFL,
NBA Arena, looking internationally at some of the trends as well.
Speaker 4 (17:16):
We are really excited again about where M and T.
Speaker 5 (17:19):
Banks stadium sits today, and with these additional elements that
are provided by the renovation joint venture between us and
the state, we think it positions us to be one
of the best, if not the best stadium in the
NFL for a long time.
Speaker 9 (17:32):
Sashi Brand and Rich were just talking about the positive
feedback that they received from fans with the first phase
of renovations. Just with that, how have you seen the
game day experience change?
Speaker 5 (17:43):
It's hard for me to be everywhere, but I know
there's a lot more places I'd like to be on
game day for sure, And we're really deep into our
programming discussions. So for us, you know, all the creative
juices are flowing about how we can bring a stadium
and fan experience, as I heard Brad mentioned in pregame,
during game, and postgame, to life in some really dynamic, fun, exciting,
(18:07):
unique ways that pay homage to Baltimore and Maryland in
this mid Atlantic region as well.
Speaker 4 (18:14):
So I think some really exciting things on the horizon.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
The Orioles ownership has been in place for a year.
Has it been working with them?
Speaker 10 (18:20):
Obviously they have the access to the same kind of funds.
Speaker 4 (18:23):
That you guys do.
Speaker 5 (18:24):
Yeah, we haven't spent a ton of time in terms
of how they plan to use the funds, but they've
been great. You know, Katie Griggs and certainly mister Ruben's
sigin have been an awesome so but off too a
good start with them.
Speaker 8 (18:36):
Kind of talking about some most premiere events would maybe
the vision if the MLB All Star Game is hosted
here sometimes the future, do you anticipate M and T
Bank would be a part of some of that hosting
and perhaps kind of lend some of your footspace to that.
Speaker 5 (18:50):
Probably too prettymature for me to comment on that. We'd
certainly be open to helping to bring to life, you know,
any event that's here on the complex working well with those.
Speaker 4 (19:01):
As I said, so I'd leave it at that, Sasha.
Speaker 10 (19:06):
You know, last year, one of the renovations you guys
did for just you know, the past season was kind
of premium spaces.
Speaker 7 (19:11):
How would you boil down when you guys did are
doing for the coming system.
Speaker 5 (19:15):
Yeah, I would. I think I saw you write that.
I'm not sure that that's actually correct. I think last
year we had this conversation. But like the gatehouse is open,
the field seats that we have really open to everybody. Likewise,
a lot of what you'll see the technology on the concourses,
the plaza that we're going to bring to life this
year and next year are all elements that are going
(19:35):
to be available for all the fans. And you'll start
to see some of our work upstairs on the concourses
as well come to life, and so from concessions and
to just the everyday fan experience. Certainly, certainly what's happened
over the last twenty years and sport venues, professional sports venues,
college sports venues now has been to bring more offerings
(19:57):
and what's called premium or club spaces, more different types
of suite, varied programs and products. But a lot of
you know, kind of our investment here is going to
really touch every fan that comes into the building, like
the gatehouse and some of the other elements that you
saw today, so.
Speaker 3 (20:12):
As you can hear from him, a couple of things
that stand out. Obviously, the fan experience is something that
is top of mind as the Ravens go through this
process with these renovations, and so they're thinking about that
both in terms of Ravens games on Sundays and Mondays
and Thursdays, but also bringing in additional events to this
space and to the stadium to the city. That's definitely
something that could be on the horizon and one of which,
(20:35):
as Sashi has mentioned previously but talked about it again
in that conversation with reporters, is the NFL Draft that
that could come to Baltimore, and the Raves are having
ongoing conversations with the city about potentially bringing a draft
to Baltimore, which wuld be awesome.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
Yeah, I mean that would be really sick. I thought
it looked really cool in Green Bay this past year,
and Baltimore would be a great destination for the NFL Draft.
And now I think that these upgrades, with all those
spaces outside that we're talking about, it just makes the
whole experience. You know, the stadium can be part of
(21:10):
that experience. I don't know where they would exactly hold
the draft, but the stadium would be part of that
and is now another selling item, a selling point of saying, hey,
you know we have these really cool spaces where fans
can go, and so yeah, I think it only makes
the Ravens bid for the NFL Draft that much better.
Speaker 3 (21:29):
So twenty twenty six, the NFL Draft is going to
be in Pittsburgh, and then twenty twenty.
Speaker 1 (21:33):
Second, we better get it at Pittsburgh, gets it? I mean,
come on, yeah, the AFC North rivalry and then well
let's go. Cleveland has had it and now Pittsburgh will
have it. I swear Sincinnati, it's the draft. I'm gonna
be salty.
Speaker 3 (21:45):
So it's in Pittsburgh in twenty six, and twenty twenty
seven is in Washington, DC. And that's as far out
as it's been announced at this point. So in addition
to hearing from Sashi, we also heard from Raven's senior
vice president of Marketing Brad Downs and senior vice president
of stadium Operations, Rich Tomayo. So let's go ahead and
play those I had conversations with both of them after
(22:06):
the hard Hat tour. So that's played both of those,
starting with Brad and then we'll go to rich Well Brod.
Just the table set here, can you provide fans and
update on where we are in this process and what all.
Speaker 6 (22:16):
Was happening here?
Speaker 10 (22:17):
Yeah, so this is year two of phase two of
three phases of our stadium renovation project. So quite a
number of projects coming online in twenty twenty five after
the projects in twenty twenty four, so unveiled a lot
of the gave a sneak peak of those twenty twenty
five projects today.
Speaker 3 (22:36):
And in terms of the process here, how much are
you thinking about the fan experience as.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
You go through all this development.
Speaker 10 (22:43):
It's at the top of the list. Thinking about the
fan experience on game day leads all of our conversations
through this whole renovation project. You know, game day leads
the thought process for the experience how fans are going
to experience game day? But then right behind that is
how is this going to improve M and T Bank
(23:04):
Stadium year round and how is it going to give
us opportunity to let fans experience M and T Bank
Stadium year round? Let events come to the stadium year
round that attract a different fan that come to the stadium.
So really, with the way this is shaped up is
leading the way with game day and then really making
the building enhanced. Three sixty five has been a nice combination.
Speaker 3 (23:28):
So far as you talk about three sixty five, one
of the things we saw was the team store in
the hospitality space above it. How will that transform operations
here on a day to day basis.
Speaker 10 (23:36):
What's going to get fans in the habit of considering
M and T Bank Stadium a destination on a regular basis.
Speaker 4 (23:43):
Being able to have a team.
Speaker 10 (23:44):
Store open whether you're whether you work downtown and you
want to swing by and grab something, whether you're heading
to an OS game and want to stop and grab
something on the way before our games, It just really
starts to retrain that thought process and then couple that
with the other events that will host here year round.
It just really completes that picture of growing the three
(24:05):
sixty five presents of the stadium and.
Speaker 3 (24:07):
Brad The team store and that hospitality space will be
done this year, and then the additional renovations to Gata
will come online in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 4 (24:14):
That's correct.
Speaker 10 (24:15):
So once twenty twenty six comes, the full new North
Plaza experience that we've talked about will really come to life.
And that's what I mean. I'm really excited about that
when that comes online. It's five different venues within that
new North Plaza, So the North Plaza in and of
itself can host events up to five thousand people and
(24:35):
really just add a different layer of experience that we
can provide to our fans on game day and beyond.
Speaker 3 (24:41):
One of the things you saw today with these new
club spaces which didn't even exist from a space standpoint previously.
How excited are you and is the organization about what
those spaces will out.
Speaker 10 (24:53):
Yeah, I mean it's pretty incredible to see that was
all dirt before, which to make that out of nothing
was really great. But really excited about adding that as
a unique experience that fans can add on to their
game day the fans who are interested in that. We've
seen that trend around the league in some of these
new stadiums is having products available for the fans who
(25:14):
do want to add a little more onto their game
day experience from a premium standpoint. Our only premium offerings
here in the building until these clubs open are really
business company partnerships through our suite levels and day of
game suites things like that. What this does is give
the opportunity that no matter where you sit in the stadium,
you can add this experience under your ticket onto your
(25:36):
game day activities.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
So in I know this, this work is very much ongoing.
As soon as we wrap here, the construction equipment is
probably just start rolling again. But what do you think
fans will notice the most when they come to the
stadium this fall for a Ravens game. What do you
think is going to jump out today?
Speaker 10 (25:51):
Well, the starting you know, the majority of our fans
come in the north the gate ay on the north
side of the stadium, and they're going to see a
brand new building there, and then they're going to another
one that's coming up, so they're going to notice that
right away. And then when you get into the seating bowl,
you're going.
Speaker 4 (26:05):
To notice the West End zone.
Speaker 10 (26:06):
You know, the West End zone has a new look
with the Legend suites that are right there on the field.
And then you'll see some differences around the concourse. You know,
all of the av that we have going on this
year and next year, six thousand square feet of LED
this year and over one hundred new TVs that will
improve that av experience on the lower concourse and the
upper concourse. So I think those are the most notable
(26:28):
things that that fans will see when they come back
in what sixty some odd days. Here, wait a yep,
thanks you?
Speaker 3 (26:36):
Here, can you provide a status update? And where are
we in this process? Like there's a lot happening.
Speaker 4 (26:42):
How far along are we now?
Speaker 11 (26:43):
We feel really good about where the twenty twenty five
projects are. And again what we just saw today with
the the North Plaza or when it comes to the
Northeast building in the retail location on the lower level
and the hospitality space in the upper level, we feel
good of the timing of where that is right. That's
a really big experience for our guest. We're also we
also feel as I walk every Friday, right, so I
(27:05):
look at the projects and I know when we did
our hard at tour last year. I definitely feel further
along this year, so a little less stressed and a
little less stress when it comes to the events that
we have leading up to the season. So last year
were back up against the soccer match on August sixth.
This year, we're August seventh with a preseason, will give
us that extra day to be ready.
Speaker 3 (27:25):
Chris, can you just give fans an idea of what
it takes to pull this off? I know you start
with basically the day after the season did how many
people are working on this project? Like? What is all
happening behind the scenes here? The fans don't get the sea?
Speaker 11 (27:38):
Yeah, it's you know, it all started a couple of
years back with the design process and it's fun to
see that process come to where we are today.
Speaker 4 (27:46):
We have what it feels like thousands of people.
Speaker 11 (27:47):
Working at this stadium, right, but I believe it's a
little bit maybe under a thousand between all the trades.
Speaker 3 (27:52):
Right.
Speaker 11 (27:52):
So with Gilbain, they're the construction manager who's been organizing
each trade as it's needed through the process. So as
you know, you start out with some of the shelling
out of the spaces, right, you move on to the
electric work, plumbing, and it's fun to watch, right because
every week as you walk through the space, as you
see something new and right now on our service level,
all the bar areas and things are going in, so
(28:14):
you can start to see them start to pull in
some equipment. So it's just it's a really fun process
and the crew that's been working here's been working hard
to make sure we're done and ready for the season.
Speaker 3 (28:24):
One of the projects that was really important, but the
definition of a dirty job was digging out the dirt.
Speaker 2 (28:29):
We call it dirt storage.
Speaker 3 (28:30):
Yes, what went into clearing out a whole area of
the stadium that was nothing but dirt and making it
now a premium space within this st.
Speaker 11 (28:38):
So it's always fun to build on something called dirt
storage in the past. So at the beginning of last season,
we actually started the excavation process. That process actually starts
with the design work, so you look through kind of
the bullprint blueprints and see what's there, what can we
run into? Are there any issues with some of the infrastructure,
But you really don't know that until you get into it. So, yes,
as we excavated a lot of dirt. Are thousands and
(29:01):
thousands of pounds of dirt. We did have situations where
we ran into certain plates that weren't on certain drawings,
so you had to use different removal methods.
Speaker 7 (29:11):
Uh.
Speaker 11 (29:11):
So again doesn't sound them, but very exciting when you're
in the field because that's a new issue that you
want to get and push through. But it's uh, it's
it's fun to build in what were called dirt storage.
Speaker 4 (29:23):
In the past.
Speaker 3 (29:24):
The Ravens have made an investment in the State has
made this investment in this stadium. Some some places go
with new stadiums with the Ravens and the state have
made the investment into keeping this stadium as the home
for the long term. You know, what does that say
about this ability?
Speaker 2 (29:37):
The ability of this stadium to maintain.
Speaker 3 (29:39):
Its spot is a really well respected known stadium in
the NFL because.
Speaker 11 (29:45):
The bones at the stadium are so great and the
way it was built of really football centric.
Speaker 12 (29:49):
Uh.
Speaker 11 (29:49):
The decision to invest in the stadium and really make
it keep it up with the joneses of the experience
of kind of premium and uh new new things that
GA fans expect, like new LEDs and things that we've
done throughout the years, was really important for us versus
kind of searching and looking at is there a new
stadium that can still fulfill what we fulfill here at
Mtbak State, which which I think again best experienced in
(30:11):
the NFL.
Speaker 3 (30:12):
You're listening to the Lage podcast we're coming to you
from the Sea Geek Studio. We also want to mention
our partners with Draftking sports Book. They are an official
sports betting partner of the Baltimore Ravens Draftking Sportsbook. The
Crown is yours. So just some good perspective there on
I think process, what it takes to pull something like
this off, you know, hearing from Rich, I'm just kind
of the construction ins it outs that takes to pull
(30:33):
off a massive renovation like this is kind of fascinating.
I mean, as you said, like you have about a
thousand people working here every single day around like basically
around the clock to try to get this thing ready
for the upcoming season.
Speaker 4 (30:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (30:46):
I mean I remember last summer walking by the Gatehouse
when it was still under construction while going to an
Orioles game, and we're coming on the dead coming up
to the deadline to the first game, and I'm saying, Holy,
how are they going to finish this in time? Like
there's no way, there's no way, And it got done.
Speaker 4 (31:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (31:07):
It's really just you know, as we're walking around today
on the Hard Hat tour and you're looking around and
you're saying, there's a lot of work to be done.
There's a lot that's been done, but there's a lot
of work to be done. I mean, it's it's crazy
like they you know, even pausing construction for a hard
hat tour so a beam didn't fall and Garrett's head
probably took some convincing because like they're working around the clock.
(31:29):
I mean after a hard hat tours, I noticed more
people out here are not working after so you know,
it's like they are working around the clock to get
this project done and it's a it's a huge venture.
Speaker 4 (31:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (31:42):
You know, I remodeled my kitchen a number of years ago.
I think it's a little bit different than that.
Speaker 3 (31:47):
Yeah, well but that probably had its own delays.
Speaker 1 (31:51):
Because I was a construction manager.
Speaker 2 (31:53):
It's a problem. The problem was just the general contractor
on that one.
Speaker 12 (31:58):
Yes, but yeah, I want to go down that road, Scars, Scars.
But yeah, so this is again, this is really exciting.
Speaker 3 (32:08):
I think that fans are going to enjoy what this
place has to offer for twenty twenty five and beyond.
And the construction crew is, as Ryan mentioned, like they're
back to work right now getting this place ready for
the upcoming season. And the countdown is on the construction
is ongoing, and it was fun to get a sneak
peak at all of that today.
Speaker 1 (32:26):
Seventy days until the Ravens first preseason game, Yeah, seventy days.
I bet Rich knows that number.
Speaker 3 (32:32):
I'm sure he does, Rich and so and then back
to football. Ravens are continuing OTA, so those will continue
next week. So we're going to continue to break all
that down.
Speaker 1 (32:43):
Now Starks signed his contract yes now yep, officially under contract,
officially officially officially a Raven Yes.
Speaker 3 (32:49):
So there's a lot that's happening on the football side
of things and on the business side of things. So
we're going to continue to break down ots. We're going
to be watching all of those practices over the course
of the next few weeks, so stay tuned.
Speaker 2 (33:00):
Lots more to come on the podcast.
Speaker 3 (33:01):
Thank you so much for listening, and we'll talk with
you again next week
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