• Loading stock data...
Thursday, November 21, 2024

Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Complicated Canton Relationship

  • The Pro Football Hall of Fame has no official affiliation with the NFL.
  • A separate entity in Canton, the Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Co., manages surrounding real estate.
Pro Football Hall of Fame

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has a unique structure. 

While most of its inductees played in the NFL, it has no official affiliation with the league. Neither does the Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Co., a publicly traded company that runs the surrounding facilities, overseeing hundreds of thousands of square feet, including the Hall of Fame Village, the recently renovated Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, and a new sports complex. 

This all makes for a tricky balancing act by HOF president Jim Porter since taking over for predecessor David Baker — the legendary figure who gained notoriety for bear-hugging new inductees and retired in 2021.

Canton takes the spotlight on Thursday when the NFL preseason kicks off with the Hall of Fame Game between the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets (8 p.m. ET, NBC). Record crowds are anticipated throughout the weekend’s Hall of Fame Enshrinement festivities, and a large contingent of Cleveland fans are expected to make the short drive to support 2023 inductee Joe Thomas.

Browns-Jets is expected to sell out the 18,000-plus venue — its the most in-demand HOF game ever on SeatGeek, with an average resale price of $228 — and Saturday morning’s Grand Parade could attract a record crowd of more than 250,000 ahead of the enshrinement at noon ET on ESPN, which just extended its broadcast rights for the ceremony beyond 2025.

The first two phases of Canton renovations —  via $600 million in funds — will be completed when a new hotel and football-themed waterpark open in Q3 next year, potentially in time for the 2024 HOF induction, Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Co. executive vice president Anne Graffice told Front Office Sports. A third phase may be announced later this year and could boost total funding toward $1 billion.

“To see what has happened on the campus over the past year makes everybody enthusiastic for the long-term prospects,” Pro Football Hall of Fame chief communications officer Rich Desrosiers explained to FOS.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sep 29, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis acknowledges a fan before the start of a game between the Raiders and the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.

Mark Davis to Unload More of the Raiders

He’s agreed to give 15% to new owners, shortly after the Brady sale.
Nov 18, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Williams Racing driver Logan Sargeant of the United States (2) during the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit.

F1 Grand Prix Upended Vegas Last Year. Stakes Are High for Its..

Stakes are high as F1 gears up for a successful second act.
Oct 16, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred before game three of the NLCS for the 2024 MLB playoffs at Citi Field.

Manfred Urges Patience on Rays Ballpark, Eyes MLB Media Shift

The commissioner also sees a new era emerging in the sport’s local media landscape.
Nov 19, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers play during the second half at TD Garden.

Cavs vs. Celtics Draws Big TV Numbers in NBA Cup Showdown

The game averaged 1.94 million viewers and peaked at 2.7 million.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Who Can Actually Afford Juan Soto?

0:00

Featured Today

Classic Football Shirts New York Pop-Up

Vintage Soccer Jerseys Have Found a Sweet Spot in the Lucrative U.S...

The money-making shirts are at the prime intersection of memorabilia and fashion.
Nov 13, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) reacts after fouling Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (not pictured) during the second half at Madison Square Garden.
opinion
November 16, 2024

NBA Ratings Rorschach Test: Buy the Dip

Was it the election? Too many threes? Lack of storylines?
November 15, 2024

Executive Decision: When Richard Nixon Named a College Football Champion

In 1969, the 37th president unilaterally named the winner of the season.
November 15, 2024

How Women’s Sports Could Change in the Next Trump Era

Under the president-elect, Title IX could change drastically.
Tampa Bay Rays

Rays Tampa Future in Doubt as County Commission Delays Bond Vote

The planned $1.3 billion ballpark now falls into further question.
November 19, 2024

RFK Stadium Bill Advances Out of Senate Committee

Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. are potential future homes for the Commanders.
November 19, 2024

Royals Ballpark Plans Expand to Kansas Amid Unsettled TV Future

Deals could be struck in the coming weeks on both the club’s local media rights and a future stadium.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Roof of AT&T Stadium
November 19, 2024

Even the Cowboys’ Stadium Is Falling Apart

“The wind got in there and exacerbated the looseness,” Jerry Jones said.
Damage from Hurricane Milton to Tropicana Field
November 18, 2024

Rays’ $1.3B Ballpark Hangs in the Balance During County Bond Vote

Another county delay in issuing bonds for stadium construction could reopen relocation questions.
November 14, 2024

Rays to Call Yankee Territory ‘Home’ for 2025 Due to Tropicana Repairs

Extensive damage from Hurricane Milton to Tropicana Field forces the unusual solution.
November 12, 2024

Bears Revisiting Another Lakefront Location for New Stadium

The site is about 2.5 miles south of Soldier Field.