MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Picture yourself at a child’s t-ball game, where a huge billboard at the entrance promotes Doberman Auto Sales with the catchy slogan: “Don't Just Bark About It—Fetch Your Next Ride at Doberman Auto Sales!"
This scenario may soon become a reality under the Murfreesboro Sports Authority. However, before such advertisements can be displayed, city officials need to clarify what types of ads will be allowed and how sponsorship arrangements will work. They will also need to identify possible sponsorship opportunities across various sports facilities and parks.
Similar efforts in other parks around the country have implemented advertising ventures in public spaces, but have received mixed reactions from the public when doing so. The newly established Murfreesboro Sports Authority aims to develop marketing strategies and sponsorship opportunities to help fund the operation of recreational facilities which are currently supported by taxpayer dollars.
As part of this initiative, publicly funded sports arenas might be given private names, depending on the decisions made by the Authority and the flexibility allowed for generating revenue through advertising sales
The Murfreesboro City Council is set to hold a Regular Workshop meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at the Municipal Airport Business Center, Community Room, located at 1930 Memorial Blvd. The agenda for this meeting includes voting on action items, engaging in discussions with city staff and even touching base on the Murfreesboro Sports Authority selling naming rights and advertising programs within the local park system.
The newly formed Murfreesboro Sports Authority seeks to create marketing strategies and sponsorship opportunities to help fund the operation of recreational facilities currently supported by tax dollars.
Ordinance 25-O-01 will guide the Authority in securing advertising and naming rights for parks and recreational services, with funds generated through these contracts aimed at enhancing park and sports facilities and programs in the community. Money that is derived from sold advertising inventory within the parks will allow the Authority to further fund the operation and improvement of Parks and Recreation Department facilities.
WHEREAS, the Authority will fund the operation and improvement of Parks and Recreation Department facilities through marketing with advertising, sponsorship and naming rights; and WHEREAS, it is beneficial for the Authority to be guided by ordinance on the types of advertising, sponsorship, and naming rights that it will seek to secure.
The Sports Authority will be guided by ordinance on the types of advertising, sponsorship, and naming rights that it will seek to secure. Read more details about an arm of the City potentially taking the leap into naming rights for the Murfreesboro Sports Authority and the possibility of advertising sales that could be sold in the near future Click Here to read more.
Around the country, more and more parks departments are venturing into the realm of marketing by selling advertising to local businesses and corporations. Parks are generating income by selling ads within their facilities, on signage, in brochures, through newsletters, within program registration software, and even on their websites. Cities like Loveland, Colorado, offer a variety of marketing opportunities ranging from $500 to $5,000 each. In Liberty, Missouri, park sponsorships can reach into the thousands. The National Recreation and Park Association, whose members include local parks from throughout the United States, has worked to educate park officials on innovative ways to increase their revenue through advertising “investments.”
MORE: During the meeting, council members will also review the minutes from their City Council Meeting that was held at the start of the previous month, which outlined several significant projects and expenditures. A key highlight from a past discussion was the approval of a construction contract for the daylighting of Town Creek, situated in the area known as The Bottoms.
Two months ago, sealed bids were opened by Griggs and Maloney, a consulting firm specializing in engineering and environmental projects, to transform the previously underground creek into an accessible stream and park-like setting. The City had buried Town Creek in the 1950s using culverts to reduce flooding risks, and now efforts are underway to restore its natural state alongside Broad Street, between the Murfree Springs Wetland and Cannonsburgh.
Griggs and Maloney, contracted by the City, examined the bids and found SBW Constructors, LLC to be a responsible and capable choice for the project, which is estimated to cost $22.4 million. The City Council has since voted to award the contract to SBW Constructors for the creek daylighting work.
The meeting is this week on January 9th.
Learn More: Residents are encouraged to attend the upcoming workshop at the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport, with the meeting set to begin at 11:30 a.m.
- Individuals wishing to speak at a public meeting on “actionable items” must sign up at least six hours prior to the meeting start time by submitting your request online at https://www.murfreesborotn.gov/PublicCommentForm or by calling 615-849-2629.
- Read or download the agenda by clicking HERE.
