Canton's Hall of Fame Village looks to turn things around
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The Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. Photo: Troy Smith
The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement this week also marks the start of the NFL preseason.
Why it matters: The signature event for Canton's $600 million Hall of Fame Village has been anything but smooth sailing since it was announced in 2014.
Driving the news: Enshrinement week includes the first preseason game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on Thursday at 8pm.
- The class of 2025, including Kent State University alum Antonio Gates, will be enshrined on Saturday, followed by a concert featuring Nickelback on Sunday.
Catch up quick: It's been a transitional year for the HOF Village, which features restaurants, rides, and sports and entertainment venues located adjacent to the museum.
- Michael Crawford, who was hired as CEO in 2018, announced his resignation in March.
- Considering bankruptcy, the HOF Village, owned previously by a public company, was acquired in May by Los Angeles-based Industrial Reality Group (IRG).
State of play: The changes follow a rough start for the HOF Village, which stalled during the pandemic and has yet to complete construction on a hotel and water park.
- A 2015 economic study estimated the village would generate more than $15 billion for Stark County over the next 25 years.
What they're saying: Before leaving, Crawford said in a press release that IRG's acquisition was a big step towards finishing the village.
- "...we believe that we will have strategic flexibility and additional working capital to invest in each of our business verticals and to continue to build the company as we have planned."
If you go: Tickets for Thursday's Hall of Fame Game start at $113.