Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones and officials of Irving, TX, are
discussing a plan to expand Texas Stadium by the year 2000.  The
plan would increase capacity to a league-high 104,000 seats, add
air-conditioning, a grass field, and a retractable "clam shell"
roof.  Jones said the project would cost $130M to $140M and would
make Texas Stadium attractive for Super Bowls and college bowl
games.  Irving Mayor Bobby Joe Raper said the the idea is "more
than just talk.  It's starting to pick up some momentum."  Raper
said there are no details on how the project would be paid for,
but he did say part of the money could come from "hotel-motel
taxes and franchise fees that the city collects from the
stadium."  Irving City Council member Morris Parrish "believes
the idea will be tough to sell to taxpayers, many of whom already
have concerns about the city's efforts to lure" the Mavericks and
the North Stars.  Jones paid $140M for the Cowboys and the
Stadium in 1989 (Cowlishaw & Lunsford, DALLAS MORNING NEWS,
10/24).  CNBC's Sue Herera said the expansion would make Texas
Stadium "the largest stadium in the U.S., and the only NFL
stadium with over 100,000 seats" ("Market Wrap," 10/24).

     At the kickoff of the their marketing blitz for a proposed
new arena in Winnipeg, the Manitoba Entertainment Complex (MEC)
announced it had sold 34 luxury boxes and 400 club seats on its
first day of business.  Writes Ed Willes, "That means it took its
first bold step toward the construction of a new arena in
Winnipeg.  That means we might actually have an NHL team to call
our own."  MEC's goal for the end of November was 40 luxury
suites and 1,000-1,500 club seats.  They are 3/4 of the way there
on luxury suites.  Also at the kickoff, Winnipeg Mayor Susan
Thompson said she was behind committing city tax dollars to the
project.  Thompson: "As far as my position, I think some tax
money in an entertainment complex is a good investment for our
city."  Last night, the MEC "basically put the shovel in the
ground for the new arena" (WINNIPEG SUN, 10/25).

     There has been much discussion in Boston over the past year
about a new facility for the Patriots.  A year ago, Paul
Tagliabue declared Foxboro Stadium was unsuitable as a long-term
home for the team.  However Robert Kraft, owner of the team and
Foxboro Stadium, is now enjoying a profitable situation in New
England.  Earlier this month, Tagliabue said the league could
work to make the stadium a viable facilty and noted the
importance of keeping a team in the New England region.  Today,
THE SPORTS BUSINESS DAILY continues its stadium profiles with
Foxboro Stadium.


  
 
    
 
      
STADIUM:
    
    
 
      
Foxboro 
        Stadium, Foxboro, MA
    
  
  
 
    
AGE:
    
Completed in 1971
  
  
 
    
CAPACITY:
    
61,000
  
  
 
    
LUXURY 
      BOXES:
    
42 boxes, 2 Superboxes. 
      Seating Capacity: 666

      Team gets undisclosed % of revenue. 
  
  
 
    
OWNERSHIP:
    
Stadium and team owned 
      by Robert Kraft
  
  
 
    
MANAGEMENT:
    
Foxboro Associates, 
      Inc.
  
  
 
    
PARKING:
    
10,000 parking spots 
      at $10 a car.
  
  
 
    
LEASE/RENT:
    
No lease or rent. Kraft 
      owns both outright.
  
  
 
    
ADVERTISING:
    
rights. Team gets undisclosed 
      percentage of revenue.
  
  
 
    
CONCESSIONS:
    
In-house.
  
  
 
    
RENOVATION:
    
Grass field put down 
      in '92. Team plans to add more luxury suites.
  
  
 
    
PUBLIC 
      $:
    
None
  


(Sources: Dan Murphy/Foxboro Associates, Don Lowery/Patriots PR)