Rosemont Releases Garth Details

The village of Rosemont in Chicago, in an effort to waylay potential criticism, has released the details of its contract with Garth Brooks to play 11 shows at the municipally ownedAllstate Arena last year.

Photo: Courtesy of Verizon Arena

Verizon Arena, North Little Rock, Ark.

The Illinois attorney general’s office recently ordered the village to produce the details of its negotiations with Brooks and promoter Varnell Enterprises under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. The village argued that disclosing the information would put the arena at a disadvantage to nearby privately owned arenas.

The 11 shows in September netted the suburb $2 million, according to Crain’s Chicago Business. It had negotiated a structured deal with Brooks and Varnell that increased the kickback to them per show, which added $1 million to Brooks’ guarantee. The concerts grossed an estimated $12 million.

Rosemont launched Brooks’ comeback tour, having competed with five other locations nationwide. The concerts were key in the arena having an operating income of $2.7 million last year versus a near break-even in 2013, Crain’s said.

In its effort to lure Brooks to Chicago, the village cut its asking rent of $65,000 per event to a graduated rent of $40,175 for the first show to $35,000 for the last performance, according to the memo. The total rebate was reduced by about $100,000 because one show did not sell out, Rosemont Mayor Brad Stephens told Crain’s.