Edge, Coliseum agree to lease extension

Posted on September 2, 2016

The Bloomington Edge have signed a two-year lease with U.S. Cellular Coliseum. (WJBC file photo)

By WJBC Staff

BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington Edge and U.S. Cellular Coliseum have announced a two-year lease extension that the team said will keep professional arena football in downtown Bloomington at least through the 2018 season.

“We’re thrilled to announce this lease with VenuWorks. Their management experience is top-notch and the building transition has been seamless,” said Edge CEO Omar Khokhar. “This partnership is a continuation of our efforts to restore stability to the Edge brand in Bloomington-Normal. We have a passionate fan base that we seek to expand, and community support has been outstanding after our deep playoff run in 2016.”

This is the football team’s first contract with the new Coliseum management team VenuWorks which took over in April.

“We are extremely excited to have the Edge back for the next couple of years,” Coliseum executive director Curtis Webb said. “Dr. Khokhar and his team have been a wonderful asset not only to our facility, but also our community. The Edge are a quality organization and we look forward to building our relationship in the years ahead.”

The Edge will be planning open tryouts later this year for the 2017 season, in addition to dance team tryouts and game day staff interviews.

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