Pauley Pavilion turning some heads nationwide

Pauley Pavilion’s $136-million makeover seems to have won some admirers around the nation, with the UCLA arena earning a nomination as sports facility of the year in SportsBusiness Journal’s annual awards.

The NBBJ renovation, which opened to fans last fall, features bold colors and high-end finishes, improved concession stands and restrooms, and a bright concourse that wraps around the old building.

Pauley faces some tough competition in the 2013 Sports Business Awards, going up against the strikingly modern Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Marlins Park in Miami, the Amon G. Carter Stadium at TCU in Fort Worth and JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Fla.

Among other local nominees is Mark Walter, of the Dodgers and Guggenheim Baseball Partners, who’s up for sports executive of the year. Wasserman Media Group, led by Casey Wasserman, is nominated for three awards: talent representation, corporate consulting and property consulting.

The winners will be announced at a May 22 ceremony in New York.

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