Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Discussion
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER A CO-SPONSORSHIP REQUEST FOR THE ADULT REAL RUN BASKETBALL LEAGUE (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
The Real Run Enterprise Incorporated, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit (Exhibit No. 1), is seeking a co-sponsorship from the City of Carson to operate a summer adult basketball league for college and prospective National Basketball Association (NBA) players. The co-sponsorship includes a request for 100% waiver of facility rental fees for the use of the Veterans Sports Complex at a cost of $21,729. Additionally, the organization is requesting Summer Youth Workers to assist with game operations, estimated at $5,208 for the entire summer season.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
TAKE the following actions:
1. CONSIDER a co-sponsorship request from Real Run Enterprise Incorporated for $21,729 in waived facility rental fees for use of the Veterans Sports Complex.
2. CONSIDER Real Run Enterprise Incorporated’s request for the City to provide Summer Youth Workers at a total cost of $5,208.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
1. DO NOT APPROVE the recommendation.
2. TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate.
IV. BACKGROUND
In the early 2000s, the Real Run Basketball program operated a summer basketball league at the Veterans Sports Complex for professional players. On May 17, 2005, City Council approved a 100% waiver of all fees (facility rental and staff time) for a five (5) week period during the summer.
The league has left and returned to the City several times since the original summer of play, however, 2005 was the only year City Council formally approved a waiver of fees for the program. The League operator now desires to return this program to the Sports Complex from July 6, 2021, through August 5, 2021. They are requesting the City Council’s approval to co-sponsor the program by waiving facility rental fees totaling $21,729. Other fees associated with the facility use include $3,348 in staff time, for a grand total of $25,077 as outlined in the attached Facility Use Permit (Exhibit 2).
Recently, staff explored the possibility of supporting this program as a City-operated adult sports league. As outlined by the League operated, registration is restricted to college athletes and current/prospective NBA players within 100 miles of the gymnasium. Due to its closed registration, the league would not be open to the general public and thus would not be eligible to be operated as a City sports league.
As a result, Real Run Enterprises Incorporated would be responsible for all aspects of the exclusive private adult league, including games schedules, officials, score keeping, uniforms for league participants, and collection of registration fees for 8 teams in the amount of $1,500 per team. The City would be responsible for providing the Veterans Sports Complex main gymnasium, bleachers, and staff for the facility only. The City would also offer a youth summer basketball clinic to operate prior to weekly adult Real Run league games. The clinic would consist of the fundamentals of basketball, scrimmages, as well as guest instruction by adult Real Run players. In prior years, Real Run promoters supplied Nike branded giveaways to participants of the youth program. Staff has encouraged the League operator to secure promotional giveaways for youth again this year if possible.
In efforts to keep registration fees down and deliver a quality league to elite adult players in the region, the League operator has stated that they are not able to cover both the staff cost for the facility permit and the Summer Youth workers salaries. The League is collecting an estimated $12,000 from participating teams, of which they use to pay City staffing costs, game officials, buy uniforms, awards, and league supplies.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
Should the City Council decide to co-sponsor the program, the League would receive a facility rental fee waiver of $21,729, but would be required to pay $3,348 in staff costs associated with the use of the Sports Complex. The Real Run is also requesting the use of four (4) Summer Youth workers each evening of game play to assist with the program at a cost $5,208.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Real Run Enterprises Incorporated 501(c)(3) Determination Letter. (pg. 3)
2. Facility Use Permit. (pg. 4-5)
Prepared by: Bobby Grove, Recreation Program Manager, Robert Lennox, Community Services Director