We’re the only fully integrated economics + design solution in sports + entertainment
Our unbiased economic studies set the foundation for our clients’ success.
We’re one of a kind
While most economics teams work independently of the architecture firm and cost estimating firm, sometimes even years apart, we take an integrated approach. From day one, our sports economics team is embedded in our sports design studio working alongside our sports architects and cost modelers to deliver market research that informs design in real time.
Better data = better design = reliable costs.
Forget the standard procedure
Economics analyses are typically executed years before an architecture team begins to conceptualize your project. By the time an architecture firm is selected, the market study no longer reflects your market and the economist is no longer a part of the process. Further, the cost estimator isn’t engaged until the design process is nearly complete.
How we’re different
We deploy an integrated team of sports economists, architects and cost modelers that have together delivered professional, collegiate and civic sports and entertainment venues for years. Together they research your market and design a new custom venue or improvement plan that maximizes return on investment with a robust cost modeling tool that adjusts costs in real time as the design evolves.
How we work with you
Depending on the project scale, Phase I typically involves a market assessment involving our economists, architects, cost modelers and your project representatives. Following an initial planning and kick-off meeting, our economists perform a socioeconomic and demographic analysis to understand your market. We then benchmark this data against comparable venues in your market and throughout the country and develop a utilization demand model.
Meanwhile, our architects and cost modelers launch the design in tandem with the economics effort. Workshops begin with the client to understand your specific needs. Fed by real-time data provided by our economists, the design team begins to conceptualize your project. As the economists pull the financial model into focus, the design team adjusts conceptual design and receives real-time cost data from our cost modelers as the design evolves.
Results you can count on
As the only firm in the sports industry that integrates cost from day one, our clients enjoy revenue-generating venues built for their specific market and delivered at a construction cost that meets their requirements, schedule and budget. Our final report includes a complete economics analysis, conceptual design with revenue-generating forecasts and a solid cost estimate that stands up in the market. These deliverables can then be used to support your funding efforts, solicit constituent buy-in and provide for end-user productivity and profitability.
AMP + SAINT
PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE = FOCUS ON ROI 2 1
INTEGRATED SPORTS ECONOMICS + DESIGN TEAM
Improve your performance with the only integrated team
Integrated sports economics + design team
Where economics, architecture and cost estimating consultants are separately contracted by clients often years apart, we offer a cohesive, integrated team that’s deployed on day one. We have been working together within this delivery model for years. This means we have 100% accountability from start to finish.
This innovative approach enables us to help our clients make informed design decisions that align with budget constraints and optimize your investment. By accurately estimating costs early on, we provide accurate and realistic forecasts for design, construction and operational phases.
Unlock your revenue with AMP + SAINT
It’s no small promise to claim that new software tools have the potential to change the way that sports venues are built. AECOM has two proprietary software packages not available anywhere else in the industry. Used together during the design process, they enable our teams to provide clients with the sports facility they want at the cost they want with the return on investment they want.
AMP (Attraction Modeling Tool — economics software) AMP directly integrates with the design effort so demand + supply are aligned throughout the process. Aligning the design process with demand + supply maximizes return on investment.
SAINT (Stadium and Arena INvestment Tool — cost + revenue modeling software)
SAINT provides real-time cost feedback as the design evolves, capturing accurate cost for small and large design changes. This puts you in the cost control driver’s seat.
FINGERTIPS
Increase your revenue streams
Understanding your market is critical to identifying the premium experiences and amenities that will resonate with your market. Just because you build it doesn’t mean they will come.
Our economics team carefully evaluates your market and collaborates with our design team to identify a custom premium experience package that will appeal to your specific market, attracting fans and touring shows alike.
Deploy unmatched integrated expertise
While our sports design studio encompassing economics, design and cost modeling is a boutique team, we are backed by the power of AECOM, a Fortune 500 firm with more than 55,000 professionals worldwide. What this means for you is that no matter the project challenge that may arise, we have an expert for that. Chances are you don’t need us to design a SpacePort or Hyperloop, but we have experts for that, too.
In addition to sports economics, design and cost + revenue modeling, we have experts in: Building
We’re a different kind of sports team
Our sports advisory team unlocks the true value of your project through a custom suite of services tailored specifically to your business needs.
BRIAN PARKER IEDC, AICPA
Director, Sports Economics
Brian specializes in providing our clients with incisive research and information related to market-driven demand for potential sports venue facility improvements and new development. He developed AECOM’s Attraction Modeling Program (AMP), which provides our clients a detailed understanding of the financial implications of various development options for sports venues and tourism attractions. Brian provides analysis and recommendations for public assembly venues across all major and minor league sports leagues, as well as collegiate, municipal and cultural venues around the country.
HEIN LE ROUX MRICS, PMAQS
Director, Sports Cost Management
Hein developed AECOM’s powerful cost + revenue modeling tool called SAINT to provide owners with an early indication of a project’s viability before putting pen to paper. SAINT balances operational and capital demands, highlighting the opportunities to inform design and improve a venue’s longterm use and revenue. By allowing for seamless integration of market analysis, cost and revenue projections, and design synthesis, SAINT enables our clients to understand exactly where every penny of the budget is applied and how design decisions impact cost in real time.
BRANDON LIEBST AIA, LEED AP
Sports Design Studio Lead
With 25 years of experience, Brandon is a Principal and Kansas City Studio Lead specializing in professional, civic and collegiate sports venues, including arenas, stadiums, ballparks, training facilities and operations centers. As a top sports designer, Brandon’s expertise is in developing conceptual alternatives, and exploring and evolving the concepts in greater detail to provide the basis for selecting a single scheme. He implements the chosen alternative and leads the day-to-day design effort to fully develop and design each building component for final design documentation.
1. LA Clippers Intuit Dome
2. Tampa Bay Lightning Amalie Arena Renovation
3. Clemson University Littlejohn Coliseum Renovation
4. University of Illinois State Farm Center Renovation + Addition
5. University of Mississippi Vaught-Hemingway Stadium Renovation
6. University of Miami Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility
7. Rutgers University, Big 10 Build Athletics Master Plan
8. Longwood University, Joan Perry Brock Center
About AECOM
AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle — from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024. Learn more at aecom.com and @AECOM For more information on our sports studio, follow us on Linkedin and Instagram CONTACT
Brian Parker Principal/National Director, Sports Economics M 630.800.5364 brian.parker2@aecom.com
303 East Wacker Drive