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ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF TWO TEAM LEASE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE CITY OF STOCKTON AND (1) PARKER MOSKAL, FEDERAL PROSPECTS HOCKEY LEAGUE/STOCKTON PRO HOCKEY, LLC AND (2) STOCKTON CRUSADERS, FOR THE USE OF ADVENTIST HEALTH ARENA
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution:
1. Authorizing the execution of a Team Lease Agreement with Parker Moskal, Federal Prospects Hockey League/Stockton Pro Hockey, LLC (Stockton Thunder), for the use of Adventist Health Arena as the home court for the Stockton Thunder Hockey Team, consistent with the drafted agreement;
2. Authorizing the execution of a Team Lease Agreement with Stockton Crusaders for the use of the Adventist Health Arena as the home venue for Arena Football One regular season home games, consistent with the drafted agreement; and
3. Authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to take all the necessary and appropriate actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
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Summary
The Stockton Thunder (Thunder) approached ASM Global (now Legends Global), operator of the Adventist Health Arena (Arena), about bringing a professional hockey team back to the Arena. Legends Global, through their management agreement with the City, has the authority to seek and negotiate with potential teams to lease the Arena on behalf of the City, pending final City approval of a negotiated lease. The City has capacity in the Arena to accommodate the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) season which plays 28 home games, October through April. The City and the Stockton Thunder have reached consensus on the terms of the drafted agreement (Exhibit 1 to the Resolution).
Meanwhile Legends Global also engaged in discussion with the Stockton Crusaders, an Arena Football One (AF1) league team to also bring their team to the Adventist Health Arena for their 2027 season beginning in March of 2027. The Crusaders play a twelve -game season, six on the home court of Stockton. The Crusaders and the City have agreed on the terms contained within the proposed lease attached, (Exhibit 2 to the Resolution).
The City will not only benefit from increased rental of the Arena, but also in welcoming two new home teams to the City, adding more entertainment/recreational options for the community and creating positive exposure for Stockton.
It is recommended that Council authorize the City Manager to enter into Tenant Lease Agreements with both the Thunder for the use of the Arena for their FPHL team and the Crusaders for AF1 football and accept the lease terms as proposed.
DISCUSSION
Background
The FPHL is a Single-A minor professional hockey league, positioned just below the ECHL (formerly known as the East Coast Hockey League). The league prepares players, coaches, officials, trainers, and front-office staff for the next levels of hockey. The 2025/26 season featured 15 teams in the league with aggressive growth aspirations as the league welcomes five already announced new markets for the upcoming 2026/27 season. The Stockton Thunder is the latest expansion team announced, following teams in Fresno, Oceanside, Southaven, MS, and Thief River Falls, MN. FPHL just completed its sixteenth season with a mission of delivering top-tier family entertainment at affordable prices, spanning a spectrum of hockey markets across the country. FPHL professes a commitment to the communities they call home, cultivating customer-centric personnel and dedicated teams committed to delivering high-performance, energized hockey at an outstanding value to the fans.
Arena Football One (AF1) is a professional indoor arena football league that launched its inaugural season in 2025. AF1was built to revive the high-scoring, fast-paced, and fan-centric tradition of classic arena football while focusing on long-term financial stability and digital accessibility. AF1 is led by Commissioner Jeff Fisher (former NFL head coach). Its premier championship game is known as the Arena Crown. AF1 is growing as the original eight teams will be joined by the addition of the Stockton Crusaders and the Austin Bulls in 2027.
AF1 games are played indoors on a 50-yard field surrounded by padded dasher boards, leading to an incredibly fast and physical game. The games include an 8-on-8 format where teams field 8 players at a time, with most players playing both offense and defense ("ironman football"). Beyond standard touchdowns, field goals are worth 3 points (4 points if executed via a rare drop kick). Kickoffs that sail cleanly through the uprights award the kicking team a 2-point "Deuce".
AF1 has placed a heavy focus on removing barriers to entry for fans. Nationally, the league broadcasts a weekly "Game of the Week" on VICE TV <https://www.vicetv.com/>. All other regular season and postseason games are produced by the HomeTeam Network and streamed completely free on the Official AF1 YouTube Channel.
Present Situation
The Arena was constructed in 2005 with the intent of accommodating a wide range of events and activities, including sports and family entertainment. Currently, the Arena is home to the Stockton Kings, a G-League Basketball team, in addition to hosting various other acts throughout the year, such as Disney on Ice, StocktonCon, WWE Wrestling, jujitsu tournaments, and many artists from varying genres. FPHL plays between October and April, like the G-League Basketball season, but there is capacity for both uses at the Arena over similar seasons. The ice will be covered as the basketball floor is built over it for the basketball games. This practice is common in many sought-after arenas, and current Legends Global staff are seasoned and experienced at changing over the facility.
The terms of the pending Tenant Lease Agreement with Stockton Thunder include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Term: Three years with two additional one-year team options
• Rent: $21,000/game with 3% annual increase
• Rent includes full use of the Arena, including storage, locker rooms, game night staffing and more
• Facility Fees will be collected on all single, group, and partial season ticket holders
• Revenue for advertising on game nights will be sold and retained by the team
The terms of the pending Tenant Lease Agreement with Stockton Crusaders include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Term: Three years with two additional one-year options
• Rent: $28,000/game with 3% annual increase
• Rent includes full use of Arena, including storage, locker rooms, game night staffing, and more
• Facility Fees will be collected on all single, group, and partial season ticket holders
• Revenue for advertising on game nights will be sold and retained by the team
Approving the Team Lease Agreements will bring additional revenue to the Arena and parking operation, provide greater positive exposure to Stockton, aid in the revitalization of the waterfront and downtown area, and enhance the overall quality of life for the Stockton community and region.
Notification
Per the City Charter, a “Notice of Intent to Lease Real Property Interest” was published in The Record on September 17, 2026.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The Thunder will pay $21,000 per game for 28 home games per season, totaling $588,000 with a 3% annual increase, in rent alone. The Stockton Crusaders will pay $28,500 per game, totaling $171,000 for the season and will increase by 3% annually. The net revenue per game varies depending on attendance and concession sales but is expected to add over $150,000 annually in net revenue to the bottom line of the Arena operating budget. While the FY2027/28 approved budget did not account for the anticipated increase, should budget adjustment be necessary for the Venues Fund, staff will bring requested approvals forward to Council through the quarterly budget reports.
Also of note, the City will remain responsible for the Arena facility including the ice system required for hockey. The current ice system is anticipated to be required to be replaced in the next 3 years, due to the unavailability of the R-22 freon that the system uses for coolant. Very rough estimates for replacement of the ice system are in the $3 - $5M range. A substantial amount of the project funding is anticipated to be available from the Venues Fund balance. Staff will research and procure the replacement through an upcoming capital improvement project, brought before Council for approval at a later date.