HOUSTON, Feb. 17, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Just in time for the NBA All-Star Game in Houston and the beginning of March Madness, HMSHost and The Houston 8 Team, LLC today announced the opening of the long-awaited CLYDE DREXLER SPORTS SCENE. The store, located within Terminal C at Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, provides a unique venue for sporting goods and apparel.
Inspired by Clyde (the Glide) Drexler's hall-of-fame basketball career, CLYDE DREXLER SPORTS SCENE features a memorabilia display from Drexler's personal collection. But CLYDE's isn't only about basketball. The store will carry a large selection of logo apparel and collectibles saluting Houston's professional and college sports teams. The Rockets, Astros, and the Texans will all be represented, as will the University of Houston, University of Texas, and Texas A&M University.
While long-time Houstonians fondly remember Clyde Drexler's leadership of the University of Houston's "Phi Slamma Jamma" team (where he accumulated 1,000 points, 900 rebounds and 300 steals), National Basketball Association (NBA) fans of all ages remember his electric career with the Houston Rockets. Drexler, along with former UH team member Hakeem Olajuwon, helped take the Rockets to their 2nd NBA Championship. Once again working with the Houston Rockets, Drexler now serves as their color analyst.
Clyde Drexler, named one of the NBA's fifty greatest players, is a partner with the HMSHost/Houston 8 Team, which is operating retail concessions at IAH as part of a 2003 contract worth nearly $148 million over 10 years.
"In basketball and in business it's important to pick the right team. The Houston 8 partnership is a great team and we're very happy to work with HMSHost to bring the CLYDE DREXLER SPORTS SCENE to Houston," an excited Drexler stated.
"Houston has always been a great destination city," said Mayor Pro-Tem Carol Alvarado speaking at the opening. Alvarado added, "The HMSHost/Houston 8 Team is helping make the gateway travel experience even better for the 40 million passengers traveling through IAH each year."
HAS - comprised of George Bush Intercontinental Airport, William P. Hobby Airport and Ellington Field - is one of the most powerful generators of jobs and economic growth in the Houston area. The system serves more than 48 million passengers each year and supports more than 151,000 local jobs. Additionally, the Houston Airport System is a nearly $25 billion economic benefit to the region.
"HMSHost is proud to be part of the Houston Airport System's world-class retail program at George Bush Intercontinental. The CLYDE DREXLER SPORTS SCENE is sure to add excitement and energy to one of the nation's most dynamic airports," according to Steve Johnson, Vice-President, Business Development at HMSHost.
About HMSHost
HMSHost is world-renowned for creating innovative concession plans in travel venues. The company operates in more than 70 airport locations around the globe, including 18 of the 20 busiest airports in North America. HMSHost has annual sales in excess of $2.0 billion and employs more than 26,000 associates worldwide. A wholly owned subsidiary of Autogrill S.p.A, HMSHost and the rest of the Autogrill Group are recognized leaders in retail and food and beverage concessions serving people on the move. With operations in sixteen countries, the combined Group has annual revenues approaching $4.0 billion.
About the Houston 8 Team, LLC
The Houston 8 Team, LLC was created to bring a local, minority-owned partnership to HMSHost's proposal in 2003. The team is comprised of Rafael Acosta, Rick Casteneda, Cindy Clifford, Clyde Drexler, Glen Gondo, Renee Logans, Lynden Rose, Gerald Womack. The LLC partners with HMSHost on food, beverage and retail concessions in Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston, Texas.
The Clifford Group logo is available at: http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2366