Hockey team Greenville Road Warriors renewed its lease agreement with the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, securing a five-year arrangement that will include new strategies to promote ticket sales and fan engagement, according to a news release.
“I believe that Greenville is a hockey market,” said owner Fred Festa, who bought the team in 2012. Previous owners Neil Smith and Steve Posner said they were forced to either sell the team or fold permanently due to disappointing attendance and financial losses.
“The community has welcomed us and we look forward to continuing to expand our fan base in Greenville through this renewed partnership with the Bon Secours Wellness Arena,” Festa said. “Greenville is thriving and we are excited to be here and be part of that growth.”
Festa pledged to contribute $1 million above and beyond the team purchase price in 2012 “to get it where we need to be,” he said to the Greenville Journal.
Since Festa took ownership, the team has seen its highest single-season total attendance since its return to Greenville, and recorded the highest regular-season average attendance, according to a news release. During that period, the Warriors also posted the three highest individual game crowds since the team’s return to Greenville.
The Road Warriors rank sixth for the 2014-2015 regular season conference standings, according to the ECHL, formerly the East Cost Hockey League.
“Continual progress has been made over the past several years to grow the level of awareness and attendance at Road Warriors games,” said ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna in the release. “The terms of this agreement allow for a cooperative effort between the team and the arena to continue that trend. We look forward to ECHL Hockey at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena for many years to come.”
