Seaside signs partnership with Monterey Bay FC and launches Business of the Month recognition
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Summary
Seaside staff described a first-year community partnership with Monterey Bay FC that includes stadium branding, discounted resident tickets, wayfinding signs and a "Business of the Month" program that brings local businesses onto the pitch during halftime; staff said the program will tie into longer-term Maingate and Campus Town plans.
Seaside city staff on the commission's informational meeting described a new community partnership with Monterey Bay FC that they say will raise the city's profile and create promotional opportunities for local businesses.
Greg McDaniel, Seaside city manager, told commissioners the agreement includes in-stadium logo placement and player and coach appearances. "They average, I believe, about 3,000 per game right now," McDaniel said, citing typical attendance figures to explain potential tourism and economic benefits.
The partnership will also offer discounted tickets for Seaside residents via a QR code distribution process to local community groups, McDaniel said, and the city will provide directional wayfinding signage to guide visitors to the stadium.
Staff emphasized the partnership is intended to support two larger development efforts: "Maingate," a roughly 50-acre mixed-use site across from the stadium, and "Campus Town," a related campus-oriented development. "We envision this as a mixed-use opportunity," McDaniel said, describing potential retail on lower floors with housing above and community space.
A local recognition program is already tied to the agreement: the commission will select a Seaside Business of the Month that receives halftime recognition, hospitality tickets and placement on the stadium big screen. Laura (administrative analyst) described the first selection, AMG Cyclery, whose owners were brought onto the pitch at halftime and shown on the stadium screen. "That recognition alone, I think, was really helpful for their business," she said.
McDaniel said staff will manage first-year processes (for example, resident ticket distribution via PDFs and QR codes) and hopes to formalize distribution and verification in subsequent years. He noted city staff will also make a limited number of tickets available to community organizations for fundraising or outreach events.
The commission discussed timing: because the neighborhood improvement commission handled recent selections, the Economic Development Commission will take on selections going forward and is expected to choose the first commission-selected Business of the Month for June. Staff said the partnership also allows promotional opportunities if the team records a home win, such as lighting City Hall in team colors.
The meeting record does not show a formal ordinance or contract text; staff said the city has "executed a community partnership agreement" but did not read contract details into the record. The commission did not take a formal vote to adopt the program during this meeting; staff said further details and a proposed selection process will be included on the next agenda.
The commission adjourned after public comment and without a formal vote on this specific program at this meeting.
