LN Nears Conn. Amphitheater Deal

Local sports teams in Bridgeport, Conn., may be displaced by the renovation of the 5,300-seat The Ballpark at Harbor Yard into an amphitheater by a local developer and Live Nation.

– Live Nation Logo 2017

Harbor Yard has been the home of the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball since 1998, but that team has struggled with attendance recently and the city is ready to replace the ballpark’s grass with concrete for a dedicated music venue, according to the Connecticut Post.

The contract with the Bluefish expired this year and LN regional president Jim Koplik has teamed up with developer and personal friend Howard Saffan in a move to renovate the city-owned ballpark. 

The decision to move forward with the transformation was announced by Saffan and the staff of Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim on Aug. 7, according to the Post.

While the parties all have intent to move toward a music venue, City Attorney R. Christopher Meyer told the paper Aug. 9 the deal was still being negotiated and that the final terms wouldn’t violate terms of another contract with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, who play hockey for the American Hockey League, a developmental league for the NHL. 

The Sound Tigers play in Webster Bank Arena, which is right next to The Ballpark at Harbor Yard, and the team’s owner, Jon Ledecky, said the renovation of the ballpark into an amphitheater would create competition and force the team to “exercise all of their rights under the operating agreement,” according to the Post.

The transformation of the ballpark is expected to cost approximately $15 million, with the city paying half of that amount. If expenses run more than the projected amount, Saffan promised to cover the remainder, the paper reported.