Global Spectrum’s Live Link

Global Spectrum and Live Nation are partnering for the first time ever in a bid to run the 18,500-capacity Copps Coliseum and two other venues in Hamilton, Ontario.

The bid follows a request for proposals issued by the city last year to find an operator for the Coliseum, Convention Centre and Hamilton Place, which are all currently run by Hamilton Entertainment and Convention Facilities.

The partnership represents a noteworthy shift, as LN has often worked with SMG on such bids in the past. But Global Spectrum examined the strategic needs of Hamilton and appreciated the presence Live Nation had in the market, company COO John Page told Pollstar, so the companies began discussions to see if they could coordinate efforts.

“We’ve had a relationship with them for years on a show-by-show basis,” Page said. “But in terms of having a deal in place this is absolutely the first time.”

A spokesman for Global Spectrum confirmed the wheels of the deal were “absolutely” set in motion by Live Nation president of arenas Mike Evans, who migrated from SMG to the company in 2010.

While Global Spectrum and SMG are the traditional competitors for facility management bids, SMG and Live Nation have had a friendly relationship.

In 2008, when Live Nation was battling Ticketmaster for dominance of the ticketing business, LN sealed a five-year deal to sell tickets at most of SMG’s facilities.

Other companies competing for the deal include an AEG/Katz Group partnership and SMG/Form Equity, according to the Hamilton Spectator, as well as several local firms.

The RFP process followed a disastrous financial year for the Hamilton venues in 2010, the paper said, when the HECF sought an $11.65 million subsidy from the city and the agency was issued a scathing review by an independent appraiser.

Page said the companies are “excited to see how we do collectively as a team” and noted a successful collaboration could very well lead to future projects.

“We hope there may be a second,” he said.

Hamilton’s city council is scheduled to vote on the future of the HECF March 21, the Spectator reported.