Nov. 1, 2010
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV Athletics has announced it has partnered with Justice Entertainment Group (JEG) in a unique relationship to book and market special events hosted at UNLV Athletics' three entertainment facilities - Thomas & Mack Center, Sam Boyd Stadium and Cox Pavilion.
Events held at the athletic department's facilities help to bring in over $275 million annually in non-gaming revenue to the Las Vegas market. The profits generated by the special events at the facilities go to support the University of Nevada, Las Vegas - including the athletics department.
"In today's economic climate, it's crucial that we think of unique alternatives to protect the university's current revenue streams as well as create new revenue streams," said Jim Livengood, UNLV's Director of Athletics. "This relationship does just that. We have a great existing working relationship with those involved and they are able to bring additional resources to enhance what we can do here with our special events. This is good for our customers, our promoters and producers, our partners and the department."
JEG is an entertainment and business company that specializes in producing entertainment and sporting event content for arenas, stadiums, theaters and night clubs. It is a promoter and producer of concert tours, festivals and sporting events as well as convention content for private commercial partners and properties.
The company is led by president and chief operating officer Daren Libonati. Libonati recently resigned after a 10-year stint as executive director of the Thomas & Mack, Sam Boyd Stadium and Cox Pavilion.
Under Libonati's leadership, UNLVTickets.com - UNLV Athletics' own ticketing division - was successfully launched and is an important component of supporting UNLV Athletics' sports programs and special events through its ticketing and marketing programs.
"Having Daren and the JEG team involved helps us to preserve many successful relationships that have built over the years - some going back as far as when the Thomas & Mack was first opened in 1983," Livengood said. "The success of the special events side of our department is important to so many people, not just us. Great people like Las Vegas Events, the LVCVA and our Strip properties are great partners and we need to be equipped to best serve them and this helps us to do just that."
Libonati, a UNLV graduate and a former Rebel student-athlete as a member of the football program, said the opportunity to team with entertainment industry veteran Susan Joseph - who is the chairman of JEG - was too much to pass. However, he said the opportunity to continue having a major impact on the success of the special events hosted by UNLV Athletics allows him to continue serving a place that is so special to him.
"We're thrilled that Jim embraced the vision," Libonati said. "He believes in me, he believes in Susan and what our team can do. The plan maintains the integrity and consistency within our industry and with our clients today. This opportunity allows for our business culture, relationships and clients to remain intact while exploring new opportunities together that will ultimately enhance UNLV Athletics - both our special events and our athletic programs. At the end of the day, the success of the athletics department positively impacts our student-athletes at UNLV. And, obviously, that means a lot to me."
