Nationwide Details Scarce

Financial details of a new partnership between Ohio State University and the Columbus Blue Jackets’ home, Nationwide Arena, are scarce despite a recent information request from local media.

The agreement sees OSU operating the Nationwide venue in addition to its own 20,000-capacity Schottenstein Center. SMG operates the privately owned, 20,000-capacity Nationwide Arena but the company’s contract expires June 30.

The partnership is expected to save the hockey team roughly $1 million per year, and the school is reportedly anticipating savings of at least $225,000 in lower administrative costs.

But besides the savings, further details regarding the 14-month agreement have yet to be released to the city’s Columbus Dispatch, which recently received a copy ofa redacted contract.

OSU blacked out details of revenue distribution, house package expenses and exclusive sponsors, the paper reported, with the university claiming protection under trade-secret laws.