Joe Scalzo

Canton, North Canton

Sports Business Reporter at Crain's Cleveland Business

Sports business reporter for @CrainsCleveland. Loves dogs, the I-formation and Seasons 3-9 of The Simpsons. Hates white condiments and Steely Dan. Genesis 39:6.

Articles

Univ. of Akron's new athletic director faces budget cuts, bowl ban head-on

2 days ago | crainscleveland.com | Joe Scalzo

Before Andrew Goodrich managed athletic budgets, he managed cows. The University of Akron’s new athletic director grew up on a dairy farm in Owego, New York, just north of the Pennsylvania border — an upbringing that taught him the value of hard work. One year, when he was really young, he got out of bed on Christmas morning and came downstairs to open the presents under the tree.
Cleveland State receives largest individual donation in school history

5 days ago | crainscleveland.com | Joe Scalzo

Walter McCombs never forgot the scholarship that changed his life — and his final gift will do the same for hundreds of Cleveland State University students. The estate of Katherine and Walter McCombs has donated nearly $15 million posthumously to CSU — the university’s largest gift ever from an individual donor. McCombs is a 1976 graduate from the CSU College of Law and went on to have a successful career at Chicago-based Abbott Laboratories, a global healthcare company.
Drop in international students could cost Cleveland State millions

6 days ago | crainscleveland.com | Joe Scalzo

Cleveland State University is forecasting a major decline in international student enrollment for fall 2025, one that could cost the school $11.5 million in tuition revenue tied to its CSU Global program. The university expects to enroll 579 fewer students in CSU Global this fall compared to the previous year — 93 fewer new students and 486 fewer returning students, due in part to the Trump administration’s recent crackdown on international student visas.
Bibb, Ronayne urge Ohio senators to back Browns stadium renovation over 'risky' Brook Park plan

6 days ago | crainscleveland.com | Joe Scalzo

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne are urging state senators to reject what they call a “costly and risky” Brook Park stadium proposal in favor of a downtown lakefront overhaul that includes a renovated Huntington Bank Field.
Hall of Fame Village to go private in Stuart Lichter buyout

6 days ago | crainscleveland.com | Joe Scalzo

The Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Co., the developer behind Canton’s Hall of Fame Village, has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by HOFV Holdings, LLC — a long-anticipated move its leaders say will provide the capital and flexibility needed to finally finish what it started. Once the deal is complete, the Village will become a privately held company and its shares (HOFV) will no longer be traded on the Nasdaq, which recently threatened delisting.
Metroparks golfers shatter record as Seneca renovations wrap

1 week ago | crainscleveland.com | Joe Scalzo

The pandemic era may be over, but at Cleveland Metroparks, the Iron Age is still going strong. Since 2020, golf has been on an upswing across the Metroparks’ nine courses, surging to a record-setting 415,671 rounds played in 2024 — about 40% more than before the pandemic. “Last year was an exceptional year and definitely our best year in recent history as far as rounds and revenue,” Metroparks Golf Director Dave Donner said. Cleveland isn’t alone.
Tennis in the Land gains Verizon as top partner; ticket sales outpacing 2024

1 week ago | crainscleveland.com | Joe Scalzo

Cleveland’s Tennis in the Land tournament is making more noise in its fifth year — and will soon get a boost from a partner known for asking, “Can you hear me now?”Verizon will serve as the exclusive 5G wireless partner for Tennis in the Land powered by Rocket, a deal that is part of a broader partnership between Sinclair Inc.’s Tennis Channel, the ATP, the WTA and a network of U.S.-based tennis tournaments.
Crunch Fitness adding second Cleveland-area gym — with more on the way

1 week ago | crainscleveland.com | Joe Scalzo

A national fitness brand is bringing a second location to Greater Cleveland — and it might just be getting warmed up. Crunch Fitness announced plans to open a new, 24,000-square-foot facility this fall at 3289 Center Road, near the Brunswick Town Center plaza just off Interstate 71. The Brunswick facility will be operated by franchisee Fit Fusion LLC, which has seven locations nationwide and plans to open more in Ohio and Illinois this year.
Cold, rainy April puts a chill on Guardians' home attendance

1 week ago | crainscleveland.com | Joe Scalzo

April showers may bring May flowers — but at Progressive Field, they’ve also brought ponchos and patchy crowds. The Cleveland Guardians are averaging 19,155 fans per game through 16 home dates, per ESPN, a 3% dip from last spring’s pace. Overall, Major League Baseball attendance was up 0.8% through April compared with last year, according to the Sports Business Journal.
A year after Notre Dame College’s shutdown, transfer students prepare to graduate

1 week ago | crainscleveland.com | Joe Scalzo

Amanda (Riley) Long remembers her final semester at Notre Dame College with all the fondness of getting assigned a 20-page paper over spring break. “Last spring was … oh, my goodness,” she said, pausing to catch her thoughts. “Sorry. Every time I think about it, I’m like, ‘Oh, my god.’“It was such an annoying phase.”Long had one year left before graduation, then NDC’s closure announcement dropped on Groundhog Day — and so did her plans.