Post by TheShadow on Sept 20, 2006 18:40:38 GMT -5
www.mercurynews.com/
By Paul T. Rosynsky
MEDIANEWS
OAKLAND - The company in charge of running game-day operations at McAfee Coliseum admitted Tuesday it fumbled preparations for the Oakland Raiders' home opener and apologized for not serving the team and its fans better.
Wes Westley, president of SMG, said the company has installed a new management team to run operations during Raiders home games and has fired a subcontractor that handled parking operations throughout the Coliseum Complex.
"(We) are committed to working with the Raiders to provide a first-class stadium environment for its fans," Westley said in a statement.
The debate over game-day operations began soon after the Raiders lost their Sept. 11 home-opener to the San Diego Chargers 27-0.
Fans complained of having to wait in long lines to get into the complex parking lot and into the Coliseum, and several fights broke out during the game.
At least 102 fans were arrested at the Monday Night Football event, with law enforcement officials saying it was one of the most unruly Raiders games they had ever policed.
Those officials laid partial blame on staffing at the stadium, as did Raiders' top executives who demanded a change in operations.
That change came Tuesday as SMG's president arrived with a cavalry of top executives from the company's various stadium operations. The Philadelphia-based firm manages five stadiums that host National Football League teams, including McAfee Coliseum. It also manages the home of Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks and 72 arenas, including the Oakland Arena.
"Mr. Westley's presence in Oakland speaks volumes," said Raiders Chief Executive Officer Amy Trask. "It demonstrates to the Raiders organization a serious commitment on the part of (SMG) to make all the improvements necessary."
Upon arriving in Oakland, Westley fired Classic Parking, which was responsible for parking operations. Sources said he also took control of Raiders game-day operations from Mark Kaufman, general manager for SMG's Oakland operations.
Among the changes promised by SMG was additional personnel to handle the Raider Nation before, during and after the game.
Changing the perception that attending a Raiders game is a dangerous adventure was one of the team's top goals when it took over ticket operations this year.
Team officials constantly talked about how security was strengthened and how the organization took pains to ensure fans would have a "first class" game-day experience.
But after the first game, team officials were furious over SMG's performance.
Many of the incidents that led to fights and arrests could have been avoided, team and law enforcement officials said, if the stadium had been properly staffed.
Instead of having an usher for every section of the stadium, it appeared there was one usher for every two or three sections. Lines getting into the stadium stretched halfway around the stadium because not enough personnel were assigned to take tickets. And driving into the complex was a hassle because there were not enough parking attendants at the gates.
Despite the persistent complaints, Kaufman, at the time, defended the company's performance, saying he had "staffed 110 percent of what we normally staff for a sellout Raiders game."
On Tuesday, however, SMG admitted to others that it had understaffed the event.
Raiders executives expressed optimism that the new leadership will lead to the game-day experience they want Raiders fans to enjoy.