"We have been working on the SS&E concept for quite some time," said Sean Henry, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nashville Predators. "Due in part to the success of the Predators, Bridgestone Arena and our Ford Ice Centers, we have garnered attention from others in the community asking us for assistance with sales, marketing and event operations. As we take this new step forward, we are pleased to not only help our partners, but to elevate our Middle Tennessee communities and accelerate economic development across our region."
In recent years, having partnered with multiple local events to provide sales, marketing and sponsorship expertise, the organization greatly expanded its reach and united the community through accessible, shared entertainment experiences. These external partnerships, all of which will be managed by SS&E, have been formed with events such as the Simmons Bank Open golf tournament, Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival, EAMOTION's Jingle Beat, Music City Winterfest and CMA Fest.
The most notable ventures existing outside the footprint of Bridgestone Arena, Ford Ice Center Antioch and Bellevue, which opened in 2014 and 2019 respectively, will now fall under SS&E's scope. Building on the hockey and skating culture that has flourished in Middle Tennessee as a result of the expansive programming offered at each community ice rink, SS&E will further extend the impact of the Scott Hamilton Skating Academy ("SHSA") and other programs that originated at the Ford Ice Centers.
One of the first examples of this extension of the impact of the Ford Ice Centers and SHSA is the soon-to-be-named Montgomery County Multi-Purpose Event Center, which is currently under construction in Clarksville, Tenn. Featuring two sheets of ice - one convertible to a full event venue with approximately 6,000 seats, suites and hospitality areas - the building is scheduled to open during the 2022-23 season under SS&E's management. Serving as the home of Austin Peay State University's men's and women's basketball teams, the venue will host a variety of events ranging the full entertainment spectrum. Just as the Ford Ice Centers have done for Antioch and Bellevue, the completion of this project will also provide significant economic impact to Montgomery County.
"SS&E will be visionary; it will work without fear of failure," Henry said. "Just as we do at the Ford Ice Centers, SS&E will have dedicated staff with a great deal of expertise and experience. They will share the same business philosophies and values of the organization and they'll have the Arena, the Preds and our leadership team behind them, supporting all key decisions and operations."
This news of SS&E's formation comes shortly after Pollstar Magazine announced Bridgestone Arena as an Arena of the Decade nominee. Awarded to the arena that showcased superior talent booking, effective promotion, quality production values and staff, an exemplary experience for fans and artists, and consistent box office success over the last 10 years, this nomination speaks to the high regard in which the venue is held by its peers and patrons. As evidenced by numerous Arena of the Year wins during that time, Bridgestone Arena has become one of the best and busiest arenas in the world. In combination with the work of the Nashville Predators organization, the formation of SS&E will allow for that positive growth to continue throughout Middle Tennessee and beyond for years to come.
At this time, additional information regarding Sabertooth Sports & Entertainment's future ventures will be available at
NashvillePredators.com
or on social media
