Local architecture firm leaping into global development arena: RTKL, partners will focus on designing sports and entertainment complexes.

L.A.-based architecture and planning firm RTKL Associates Inc., along with consulting firm Blackman Cunningham and G2 Strategic, has formed a design and development consultancy targeting sports and entertainment districts worldwide.

The three-party alliance will leverage its collective entertainment and sports experience to assist governments, club owners, leagues and private developers considering urban developments anchored or sparked by sport and entertainment venues.

RTKL Vice President Ron Turner is well known for designing dozens of iconic sports venues, including L.A.'s Staples Center, Atlanta's Olympic Stadium (now Turner Field), the Saitama Super Arena in Japan and Baltimore's Camden Yards baseball field.

The alliance's focus on sports/entertainment developments show how critical the massive complexes have become to cities and municipalities across the globe--including Los Angeles, which will soon see the long-awaited $2.5 billion L.A. Live complex open downtown near the Staples Center.

The partnership combines the individual firms' specialties in urban planning and architecture, marketing and sports business skills and will target stadium and arena projects in the United States, Europe, South America and Asia that are part of larger mixed-use urban districts.

Blackman Cunningham, a partnership of former NBA star Rolando Blackman and sports and entertainment executive Louis Cunningham, is based in Dallas and G2 Strategic, led by CEO Marshall Glickman, is based in Boston.