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May 16, 2007
For Immediate Release
Contact: Alison Asti (410) 333-1560 Robert L. McKinney, Chairman of the Maryland Stadium Authority, has named Paul A. Tiburzi, managing partner of global law firm DLA Piper’s Baltimore office, to chair the Camden Yards Sports and Entertainment Commission. Tiburzi succeeds former chairman Carl Wright, who was the driving force behind the creation of the Commission during his tenure as chairman of the Maryland Stadium Authority.
The Camden Yards Sports and Entertainment Commission is a panel of business and community leaders tasked with developing new uses and attracting high profile events to the facilities in Baltimore. They also engage the community in supporting these activities when scheduled. The commission aspires to bring world class concerts and sports events, such as international soccer matches, to Camden Yards Camden Yards already holds a diverse array of activities throughout the year. While the stadiums are best known as the homes of the Orioles and Ravens, they also host high profile events, such as the Navy-Notre Dame sellout at M&T in November. Last summer, the Franklin Graham Festival drew thousands for a weekend program at Oriole Park. Early this month, Inside Lacrosse Face-Off Classic, featuring four top college teams in an early season doubleheader, drew more than 20,000 fans to M&T Bank Stadium. The success of this event has prompted sponsors to consider making it an annual tradition. M&T will also be the site of the NCAA lacrosse championship in May and the Army-Navy game in December. In making the appointment, Mr. McKinney noted "Paul is uniquely positioned to lead CYSEC. As a managing partner of an international law firm he has great entree to the sports and entertainment world. Paul brings the right mix of experience, contacts and commitment to make things happen for Camden Yards." Tiburzi, a lifelong Baltimorean and strong City booster has been recognized for his leadership in the state legal community; he received the 2006 Daily Record's Top Leadership in Law award for service to the community and his clients. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Greater Baltimore Committee, the Baltimore region's premier business advocacy group. He is also an unabashed soccer and lacrosse fan, as well as concert enthusiast, determined to bring luminaries of both to his hometown. In accepting the appointment as chairman, Paul Tiburzi said his goals were "to eventually make Baltimore the permanent home of the national lacrosse Final Four Championships after it goes to Boston next year, to bring DC United and other world class soccer clubs here for soccer matches, to see David Beckham and Ronaldinho kick a soccer ball at Camden Yards and to bring world class artists here for a performance." If that were not enough, Tiburzi is determined to see the Camden Yards sports complex a "signature" annual event. "It could be a festival, concert, championship or invitational tourney," Tiburzi remarked. "We want something people look forward to every year as a Camden Yards tradition." |
