Rentschler Field Goes To AEG

The state of Connecticut has switched facility managers for the 40,000-seat Rentschler Field Stadium in East Hartford, accepting a bid by Northland AEG to run the facility. Madison Square Garden was expected to operate the football stadium through 2008.

Northland AEG is a partnership between AEG and private property owner Northland, which has $500 million invested in the city of East Hartford. The partnership was chosen to manage the Hartford Civic Center two months ago.

MSG, which ran the stadium since its opening in 2003, was not one of the bidders for the new contract. The state viewed MSG’s "remoteness" – apparently meaning its New York home base – as a concern, according to the Journal Inquirer paper. The stadium is run by the Office of Policy and Management.

"While we are disappointed by OPM’s decision and believe that our proven expertise makes us the best facility manager for Rentschler Field in the future, we respect OPM’s choice and will work with Northland AEG to ensure the transition is a smooth one," senior VP and GM of MSG-Connecticut Marty Brooks told Pollstar.

"We are proud to have been involved in developing and opening Rentschler Field; hosting the University of Connecticut Huskies football team; attracting world-class events to East Hartford such as international men’s and women’s soccer, rugby matches, and concert headliners Bruce Springsteen and The Rolling Stones; and running the venue in a first-class manner over the past four years."

MSG owns the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, a New York Rangers affiliate, which plays at the Hartford Civic Center.