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Taxpayer-funded project prompts county to seek lease extension from Crunch

Syracuse Crunch owner Howard Dolgon (second from left) on Oct. 12 announced a 12-year lease extension for the Syracuse Crunch at the Onondaga County War Memorial Arena. Joining Dolgon were (from left) Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter (D–Syracuse); Onondaga County Legislature Chairman and soon-to-be Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon; and Matt Hollander, War Memorial general manager with SMG, the firm that manages the Onondaga County War Memorial Arena. (Eric Reinhardt / BJNN)

SYRACUSE — The Syracuse Crunch minor-league hockey club has agreed to play its home games at the Onondaga County War Memorial Arena through the 2029-30 season. The team, Onondaga County, and arena manager SMG (Service Management Group) announced the 12-year lease extension on Oct. 12. As per Crunch policy, terms of the lease extension were […]

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SYRACUSE — The Syracuse Crunch minor-league hockey club has agreed to play its home games at the Onondaga County War Memorial Arena through the 2029-30 season.

The team, Onondaga County, and arena manager SMG (Service Management Group) announced the 12-year lease extension on Oct. 12.

As per Crunch policy, terms of the lease extension were not disclosed during the announcement at the War Memorial.

The renovation project at the War Memorial prompted the need for a renegotiated lease, Ryan McMahon, the current chairman of the Onondaga County Legislature, said in response to a CNYBJ reporter’s question.

“We invest [in the team] yearly, but we weren’t going to invest $8.5 million of the public’s money [in the arena] without a long-term commitment [from the Crunch],” he added.

The county legislature has appointed McMahon to soon assume the duties of Onondaga County Executive.

He will take over once current County Executive Joanie Mahoney vacates the position to become COO with the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

The lease extension is a “great moment” for the Syracuse Crunch, team owner Howard Dolgon said in his remarks during the press conference at the War Memorial.

“We had a six-year lease remaining, but the fact that this commitment was made was instrumental and important for us to make the commitment for 12 years. We had no problem doing it,” said Dolgon.

The first commitment Dolgon was referring to was the $8.5 million in renovations that continue at the War Memorial.

Dolgon also noted the work of Onondaga County Deputy County Executive William Fisher “who really has his finger prints all over our lease and this building.”

The announcement happened a day before the Syracuse Crunch hosted their 25th home season opener on Oct. 13, a game they lost to the Charlotte Checkers.

Eric Reinhardt