Yesterday late afternoon, the city’s governing bodies, headed by Christian Estrosi, the President of GYM, Jean-Pierre Rivère, and Vincent Tong Coung, Managing Director of Sportfive France, unveiled the new suites of the new stadium at the Palais Nikaia. An impressive structure in anticipation of the upcoming OGCN season and Euro 2016. It is also a way to demonstrate the importance of the club in the city.
A beautiful presentation to showcase what could be one of the most high-tech sports venues in France. The city and the Azur club went all out for the 3D presentation of the new suites of the Allianz Riviera. It also highlights that the club has matured: “It’s a club with history and we are working to make it grow. The OGCN is transforming. We have done a lot to structure it. The OGCN is a combination of things, people working daily.” On this occasion, the President of GYM presented three jerseys stamped with the club’s logo to UPE 06 (Union for Enterprises) for Yvon Grosso (President) and Bruno Valentin (Vice-President), and the last one for the CCI (Chamber of Commerce and Industry) represented by Jacques Kotler, President of the trade commission of CCI Côte d’Azur.
President Rivière is clear on several points. First, there is a need to focus on the youth (Gambardella Cup, the Maupay example). Unfortunately, few succeed today. The club wants to turn them into responsible individuals: “We must give them the chance to succeed in life.” The young Azur talents seem to be at the heart of the Nice project. The President also highlights the importance of the apprenticeship tax, which according to him, “helps grow the club” and calls on investors.
It is true that today most clubs are operating at a deficit and must sell players to stabilize their budgets. This weakens the team: “We have reduced our wage bill, and with the sale of certain players, we are about stabilized this year.” By June 2014, the club will need to sell for 6 million euros: “We cannot live beyond our means.” While the club has one of the lowest payrolls among the elite, its sports results are quite interesting. The new stadium could further motivate the Red and Black troops: “I think you will greatly enjoy coming to this stadium. Our role is to fill it.” We get to the point where President Rivière talks about the number of VIP places in the Allianz Riviera. 4,000 out of the 35,000 that the superb venue will hold: “This stadium will be a real cauldron but safe for families and children. Football is a spectacle, a celebration.”
After a film on the different suites, Vincent Tong Cuong, Managing Director of Sportfive France, goes into detail. “The Red & Black Fan Club”, entry-range from €1,100 per season; “The Pub 1904” with a British, Irish pub atmosphere (€1,600); “La Brasserie des Aiglons” with its name-tagged private tables starting from 6 people (€2,200); the “Salon Saleya”, a friendly space with a traditional lounge (from €2,500); the “Salon Baie des Anges”, very trendy with the possibility of evenings with DJs (from €3,000); the “Salon Presidential” with premium service (€4,700); and finally, the ultimate “The Suites” with three types of arrangements: cocktail, lounge or dinner (from €48,000). He reminds the guests, “You have a great team, beautiful football, and now a beautiful stadium.”
Christian Estrosi then takes the floor. He boasts that only two stadiums have met the specifications for Euro 2016, Lille and Nice: “We had to consider a reorganization of the territory. We managed to take exceptional measures of reconstruction and structuring—the Economic Heart of the agglomeration.” A real economic upheaval. A new tram line, the railway line, the Grand Arenas, the restructuring of the Moulins district, everything is done to rejuvenate the area. The Grenoble Road will become the Mercantour Boulevard. The new stadium will be a model of sustainable development, 100% self-sufficient with rainwater harvesting, solar panels and thus significant energy production. He also talks about naming rights. Allianz has contributed to constructing three major venues worldwide: Sydney, Munich and therefore Nice. He also emphasizes that this venue will be multicultural.
Christian Estrosi finally revisits the agreement with Valérie Fourneyron on the Museum of Sport. 600,000 pieces will be displayed in the 5,000m² enclosure at the entrance of the Allianz Riviera. To spice things up a little, the elected representative believes that the club can catch up with Olympique de Marseille and become the club of the Southeast. Currently 5th in Ligue 1, the Aiglons are making a name for themselves not just to stay in the middle of the pack and fight against relegation to the second division but indeed for a possible qualification for European competitions, as Jean-Pierre Rivère says, “A dazzling game with players who give their all.” GYM should play its second home match of the 2013-2014 season in its new venue.
