San Antonio movie star lawyer Thomas J. Henry has misplaced his contentious battle to safe the naming rights to Corpus Christi’s American Financial institution Heart. The ever-present lawyer may sponsor turkey giveaways, fireworks shows, and boxer Mario “El Azteca” Barrios, however the coastal landmark received’t be bearing his title.
Though Henry now headquarters his observe in San Antonio, he has deep ties to the Corpus Christi neighborhood. He based his observe within the metropolis after graduating from St. Mary’s Regulation College.
The saga over the world has been occurring since April 15, 2024, when Henry made a $12.5 million provide to rename the venue, paying $1.25 million yearly over 10 years. By April 26, he took to the bully pulpit to accuse Corpus Christi metropolis supervisor Peter Zanoni of interfering with the method.
“It’s disheartening to witness potential thousands and thousands slip away from the taxpayers of Corpus Christi as a result of pointless political entanglements,” stated Henry in an earlier launch. “What number of different alternatives have been missed due to such actions?”
Henry later upped the provide to $20 million over 10 years, saying the quantity exceeded the $175,000 to $190,000 the American Financial institution contract netted town. A lot to Henry’s consternation, Corpus Christi Metropolis Council nonetheless didn’t make a last choice regardless of approving a June 10 decision to offer naming rights to the best bidder.
Henry continued lobbing criticism as not too long ago as June 18, when he once more issued a press launch condemning the inaction. He cited a number of Corpus Christi politicians and blamed “political gridlock and lack of transparency from decision-makers” for the delay.
In the long run, it was all for naught for the high-profile lawyer. In a tersely worded launch, venue administration firm Oak View Group lastly named the middle’s namesake. The rights will go to Hilliard Regulation, a Corpus Christi-based agency that additionally has workplaces in Chicago. Particulars of the deal weren’t disclosed.
“Following a complete and strategic search course of that included a number of elements, this marks a big step ahead in establishing a long-term partnership that may improve the visibility and way forward for the venue and the area,” wrote Oak View.
Now, Henry has an additional $2 million to spend yearly. He may use it to increase his newest giveaway, a million-dollar social media sweepstakes he kicked off in April, as a substitute of throwing his common star-studded birthday bash.
