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Many Lakers players have gotten up close and personal with animals from Knie’s childhood zoo. Mike Richard (57) made the start and posed with some elephants in front of the ice rink in the autumn of 2000. 23 years later, SCRJ goalkeeper Melvin Nyffeler (29) rode through the enclosure on the back of an elephant. These special encounters were always made possible by Benjamin Sinniger (62), director of the children’s zoo from 2000 to the end of 2023.
“Rappi-Jona is connected to the children’s zoo,” says Lakers CEO Markus Bütler (51). “We have been neighbors for years and have occasionally exchanged ideas.” Or joint projects have already been realized, such as the ‘Zebra Dance’: in this clip, comedian Manu Burkart, dressed as a referee, implements the hand gestures of the referees in a dance.
When Sinniger informs Bütler that his time at the children’s zoo is coming to an end, the idea of continuing the collaboration grows. “Benjamin is well anchored in the city and region, a well-known person with a huge network,” says Bütler. That’s why the Lakers hired the sports-loving Sinniger; he will now be responsible for the Lakers’ events and projects on a mandate basis as BDM (Business Development Manager). «Ice hockey is an entertainment industry. It is valuable to have someone on the team who can further develop the brand, explore new business areas and get people excited about it.”
“From one zoo to another”
Sinniger, who prefers to translate BDM with a wink as ‘Bensch, the doer’, sees the opportunity ‘that I can make a difference. I only dedicate myself to projects that fascinate me. I have to be there with emotions and passion.” That’s him on the Lakers, and he says with a smile, “I come from one zoo to another.”
If you are surprised by this statement, Sinniger will immediately reassure you with a plausible explanation. “Hockey players can certainly adopt certain traits from the animal world.” The overview of a giraffe, the acceleration of a cheetah, the tenacity of the meerkat or the skills of the elephant with its trunk hand. “If that works, the play-offs will be waiting in the future.”
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
