Tom Cantone isn’t worried. While MGM Springfield is making moves to transform that city into an entertainment destination — including recently taking over management of the Springfield Symphony — Cantone, senior vice president of sports and entertainment for Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, says Mohegan boasts a prominent stature among venues, which attracts some of the biggest national acts.
Tom Cantone isn't worried.
While MGM Springfield is making moves to transform that city into an entertainment destination — including recently taking over management of the Springfield Symphony — Cantone, senior vice president of sports and entertainment for Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, says Mohegan boasts a prominent stature among venues, which attracts some of the biggest national acts.
“With our total programming of over 170 events a year, I'm confident our arena will sustain its reputation,” said Cantone, a Harrisburg, Penn., native who is a Penn State graduate.
That means over the next year his priorities largely lie in maintaining relationships necessary to book big acts at the casino. On the sports front, he says he's focused on trying to make the two professional teams Mohegan Sun owns (the New England Black Wolves lacrosse team, and the WNBA's Connecticut Sun) championship teams.
How important is entertainment to the overall success of a casino?
It is a key part to our brand for sure and a selling point throughout the world as Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment expands globally. The amount of programming we do really drives our database and cash business. As a result, our arena venue in Connecticut is the No. 1 casino venue in the world.
When booking acts at a casino, are there a different set of considerations to take into account compared to other kinds of venues?
Not really. We are in the arena and concert business so having a casino as part of it is a definite plus, but our demographics are typical of the average concertgoer anywhere that doesn't have a casino.
Are there any sports Mohegan Sun hasn't hosted but would like to in the future?
We have hosted just about every sporting event imaginable — but it looks like esports (competitive multiplayer video gaming) will be in our future and that could be the next big thing.
What's your biggest growth opportunity?
Technology has made it so much easier to buy a ticket — it is the fastest-growing part of the entertainment business. The immediacy of a purchase is within seconds and the buzz on social media has now made us the No. 1 social-media venue in the world.
Have you ever had a star-struck moment when meeting an act you booked?
Without question — I grew up with the Beatles, they changed the world and when I had the chance to spend some quality time with Ringo Star, it was a pinch-me moment back to when I was a kid. He was an absolute gentleman and it is a memory for life.
