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9/25/2015
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VOL. 36, NO. 39
SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 4, 2015
Business of Life:
35th Anniversary
Who to Watch: Manufacturing industry faces challenges — P. 15-21
Car Condos
Auto enthusiast builds collectors paradise
COLUMN: Crain’s new look — P.10
P. 22-23
CLEVELAND BUSINESS
A lifeline for local care Funding infusions from larger systems keep centers running BY TIMOTHY MAGAW F or more than two decades in Akron, the spirited competition for health care dollars and physician allegiance sat squarely between the city’s stalwart health systems, Akron General and Summa. Contentious at times, sure, but health care insiders say the competition never quite reached the fever pitch as what unfolded 40 miles north between the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals. Much was due to the limited geography with which Summa and Akron General were working. But as regional boundaries blur and the financial realities set in of operating a smaller system in the wake of federal health care reform, the state’s mega-systems — and not just those headquartered in Cleveland — have slowly crept into the Akron market. And with their flags, of course, come lots of money. HealthSpan Partners, a non-religious auxiliary of Cincinnati-based Mercy Health, pumped $250 million in Summa when it purchased a minority stake in the health SEE LIFELINE, PAGE 8
ACE REPORT: NEO update Job numbers bounce back in August — P. 14
Cavs’ wide reach could be lucrative Team’s international popularity has resulted in overseas biz overtures BY KEVIN KLEPS kkleps@crain.com @KevinKleps
With the world’s best player on a roster complemented by standouts from Australia, Brazil, Canada and Russia, the Cleveland Cavaliers truly are global players. This season, the Cavs, with the help of two branding agencies, are poised to turn their international reach into lucrative partnerships. To get there, they have to navigate the NBA’s long-standing restrictions on marketing outside a 75-mile radius of Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs, especially since the return of LeBron James, have done
plenty of big business in Northeast Ohio. In 2015, however, they have focused some of their efforts on Australia, China, Russia, Thailand and other countries in which their research shows they have a sizable audience. “We have a finite number of seats in the building, 20,562. We have a finite number of suites,” said Cavs senior vice president and chief revenue officer Brad Sims. “The only way you can move the needle there ultimately is with pricing. But with partnerships, I like to say there’s infinite opportunity. It really comes down to how creative you can get.” The Cavs have taken that part of their game to a different level for the
SEE CAVS, PAGE 12
NEO law schools’ enrollment falling
ROBERT NEUBECKER
Smaller class sizes have become the norm BY JEREMY NOBILE jnobile@crain.com @JeremyNobile
Entire contents © 2015 by Crain Communications Inc.
Northeast Ohio’s law schools continue to see enrollments dwindle compared with the levels seen just a few years ago, but school officials and industry experts are hopeful the trend may soon turn around.
The consensus is the overall situation, here and nationwide, is worrisome, but not dire — yet. Data from the University of Akron School of Law, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and Case Western Reserve University School of Law show that enrollments at those schools are down 3% to 6% from last year. More striking, though, are the decreases over the last several years. Since 2010, total enrollment has
Get the dish on local manufacturing, plus her favorite dining spots and fall activities.
SEE LAW SCHOOLS, PAGE 25