Updated July 19: City of Cleveland has sent a letter to Cleveland Synergy Foundation halting funding of the Gay Games organizing committee. Cleveland Synergy then sent a statement regarding the FGG possibly pulling their Gay Games license.
Also, Roger Brigham of the Bay Area Reporter has a great update, including the resignation of a Cleveland government staffer from the board of Cleveland Synergy Foundation. He also offers some great insight into the likely behind-the-scenes process taking place now.
Cleveland-based gay magazine Spangle took notice of our report last week about rumors pointing to a change in management of the 2014 Gay Games in Cleveland, and it looks like there is movement to change organizers of the Cleveland Gay Games. But that may not be a done deal. This morning, Cleveland Synergy issued a statement to Outsports regarding the matter:
There have been several erroneous reports regarding discussions between the Federation of Gay Games and the Cleveland Synergy Foundation surrounding the future of the 2014 Gay Games here in Cleveland.
We continue to collaborate with the Federation to ensure the best outcome for the 2014 Gay Games, as envisioned by our organization.
We are committed to our role as the hosts of the 2014 Gay Games, and we appreciate the unwavering support of the City of Cleveland, City of Akron, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and Positively Cleveland as our partners in this athletic and cultural endeavor.
We respect the Federation for not only awarding us the opportunity to host the Games, but for continuing to guide us throughout this process with integrity and transparency.
We are excited for our colleagues in Cologne as they embark on the next Gay Games, and we look forward to welcoming the world to Cleveland + Akron in 2014.
While the Federation of Gay Games still isn’t talking, Spangle spoke with Cleveland City Councilman Joe Cimperman who said the FGG has been in contact with the city and that something is up.
Cimperman told Spangle this morning that a conversation was held recently between the federation and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission about the commission taking a larger role in the planning of the games. The councilman assured Spangle that David Gilbert, president and CEO of the commission, is a strong ally of the LGBT community.
Gay People’s Chronicle also has a story pointing to a change in Cleveland:
“There is discussion about a shift in management, being dictated by the Federation of Gay Games,” said Positively Cleveland’s Communication Director Samantha Fryberger, “but the intention is to keep it in Cleveland.”
Now an anonymous comment on our previous story says the FGG made a formal change on July 6:
on july 6, 2010, the federation of gay games, inc. (fgg) notified Synergy that FGG was exercising its right to terminate the license agreement with Synergy for the 2014 Gay Games in Cleveland and agreeing to pursue voluntary mediation within fourteen days to attempt to resolve the outstanding issues.
We will stay on top of this story as it continues to break.
on Jul 16th, 2010 at 3:10 PM
Can we just blame LeBron for this too?
on Jul 16th, 2010 at 3:41 PM
Don’t the Games have to be hosted/run by a ‘gay’ organization? Would the City of Cleveland along with CEO David Gilbert and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission qualify?
on Jul 16th, 2010 at 4:08 PM
The Games do not have to be run by a gay organization.
on Jul 16th, 2010 at 6:04 PM
Looks like Montreal all over again….
on Jul 16th, 2010 at 9:10 PM
Why is this all being drudged up now, almost a year after the fact? Those Boston drama queens need to stop splitting their over-moussed hairs and get a clue about sportsmanship. BTW, does anybody really think Boston in its peak summer travel season can offer anywhere near the economy and overall accessiblity of an event in Cleveland during the same time? This is not about overdone Gay Travel “In” Spots, but a way for the Games to be held smoothly and inexpensively.
on Jul 17th, 2010 at 9:00 AM
this is not a boston or dc issue evan, this story is breaking inside of cleveland due to our communities concern that the organization assigned to run the games is under severe scrutiny for its handling of funds and tactics of intimidation to win venues or participation. we will not tolerate mismanagement, misappropriation, or ethical conduct outside of the standards of our city. follow the news in cleveland, and you will see that citizens are speaking up in areas of all potential wrong-doings ranging from state, city and county government corruption to business for profit and non-profit.
on Jul 17th, 2010 at 2:07 PM
Evan, this is not coming from Boston. 90% of my information is coming from Cleveland. And we are getting more information daily.
on Jul 17th, 2010 at 5:42 PM
If people are referring to the current troubles of Cuyahoga County government (which will be totally replaced and restructured by 2011), I fail to see any connection to Gay Games other than a chance for opportunistic mudslinging. The civic suport for Gay Games 2014 is from the Cleveland and Akron CITY governments, which have nothing to do with the investigation. And if you don’t think D.C. and Beantown folk aren’t licking their chops, just check out some of the local gay rags.
on Jul 20th, 2010 at 2:19 AM
Evan is really a equal opportunity name caller — first with the “Midwest Yokels,” now “Boston Drama Queens”? Then saying it’s “old news” being “drudged” up? (Yep, when there’s no one else to attack, then attack the messenger.)
I really don’t care much about this issue but perhaps he would care to fully disclose his interests in the “games” so that we could see the point of his rage?
And like i’ve said, Chicago did an awesome job with the last Gay Games, I’m sure Mayor Daley would love to have it back here.
on Jul 20th, 2010 at 2:16 PM
The city of Cleveland did not win the right to host the Gay Games in 2014 – Cleveland Synergy Foundation did. Synergy’s loss of their license with the FGG means that currently no entity from Cleveland will have the rights to produce the 2014 Gay Games. When an athlete is disqualified, do we look to give their gold medal to someone else from their home state? It doesn’t matter how much you like the other boys from Ohio – the answer is no. Because of the previous FGG history with Montreal and Chicago back in 2003 – the FGG has a backup plan in place should the designated host organization not be able to fullfill its mission. As a precaution, the FGG already has a signed agreement with the bidding organization who came in second place. Should the Cleveland Synergy Foundation not be able to rectify its current situation – the Gay Games could very likely move.
on Jul 20th, 2010 at 2:31 PM
I find it hard to believe the FGG would move the Games from Cleveland, especially given that we have heard the FGG promise the city that they will do everything to keep the event in Cleveland.
on Jul 20th, 2010 at 3:00 PM
Doug Anderson wrote to the FGG on June 24 that “Cleveland Synergy Foundation is the legal entity that will host the 2014 Gay Games.” He further wrote that “The city of Cleveland, Positively Cleveland, and Greater Cleveland Sports Commission do not hold any responsibility to the licensing agreement, which is directly with the Federation of Gay Games and Cleveland Synergy Foundation. They are our partners in this historic endeavor, but do not have the authority by our articles of incorporation or our code of regulations to act on our behalf without our direct written consent.” Regardless of any FGG promises or good intentions, if the Cleveland Synergy Foundation does in fact lose its license with the FGG, then the FGG has a previous commitment in place to go to whoever is the second place organization. Trying to keep it in Cleveland, and legally being able to keep it there, may be two different things. That is why the city of Cleveland cut off the money to Synergy.
on Jul 20th, 2010 at 7:49 PM
Jay, there are dozen’s of individuals involved in each of the three representing areas: CSF, City Government (et al), and FGG.
The common thread is discourse is CSF, particularly founders Doug Anderson, Jeff Axberg and Brian Tavolier.
If the founders believe the Gay Games 2014 is the priority and holding in Cleveland is in the best interest of the LGBT community is to host the games, please ask them to resign from CSF and allow the Board President, Michael Readinger to lead the Board and Volunteer Council through the delivery of the Gay Games.
It’s clear from your message and other experts from written communications from Doug Anderson (and founders), that they are arrogant and hold their opinion above compromise.
Their resignations will make way for mediation with the remaining CSF Board of Directors and related private and government officials.
Or, is the money and fame the drive for these three gentlemen?
on Jul 20th, 2010 at 10:06 PM
It would be nice if it were as simple as Doug Anderson, Jeff Axberg and Brian Tavolier resigning from the CSF and I agree that we should all ask them to do so. Michael Readinger is unfortunately not the Board President (Doug Anderson is) but rather the President of the Volunteer Council and as such has no current legal authority over the CSF per their Articles of Incorporation. I hope for the sake of the Gay Games and the city of Cleveland that the FGG can find a way to legally solve this licensing situation. Opening Ceremony for the Games in Cologne is next Saturday – something really needs to happen to resolve this quickly.
on Jul 21st, 2010 at 10:26 AM
I believe that the FGG has trademarked “GayGames” and without their permission GayGames2014 could be sued for using their name.
This runs deeper than the three Founders being arrogrant. I was at “Frivolity” and it was incredible. I saw the live streaming Video from Cologne when CSF won. I saw the Bid document from CSF and I heard all the Founders speak. None of them come across looking for fame or money. Why do we turn on our community when people worked so hard to bring the Gay Games to Cleveland? This is an incredible opportunity that is being wasted by such negativity, or is this typical for Cleveland? DC and Boston are just waiting.
on Jul 21st, 2010 at 6:33 PM
James? The same James who called me “Dickh—” in the afore-mentioned post is aghast at the very thought of namecalling? I’m sorry Chicago lost its bid for the Olympics, but your way of exploitating the current Cleveland situation by shoving yourself into the spotlight is the worst kind of provincial (Midwest) city-size queen elitism. Hence, “yokel” … and hypocrite. And I wasn’t attacking any messenger, but the timing of the message — nearly a year after the fact. (I assume everyone knew how to count sporting events last August as well as they are able to now.)
on Jul 27th, 2010 at 3:12 PM
Cyd,
This morning the FGG delegates were all invited to a Cleveland-Akron reception at the Hard Rock Cafe in Cologne on August 4th to join the “Host Cities” of Cleveland and Akron at an “exclusive appreciation reception.” Noticeably absent from the list of event sponsors is the Cleveland Synergy Foundation. Your sources were obviously correct in that it appears that the Federation plans to stay with Cleveland, even if that would mean entering into a new license agreement with a non-LGBT organization. Thank you for keeping us updated with what is going on, it is sincerely appreciated!
on Jul 28th, 2010 at 10:59 PM
If Jay is correct, the folks in Washington, DC should be concerned. They were voted second after Cleveland and ahead of Boston. The Cleveland Synergy Foundation has lost the bid – shouldn’t it go to DC instead of some other group in Cleveland, which did not write their bid?