The chances of the Bills playing at SkyDome is unlikely,
according to Jim Proudfoot of the TORONTO STAR. Rich Stadium is
undergoing $23M worth of improvements now and the Bills are
putting up $10M, raised by a parking surcharge.  "At the SkyDome,
they'd get zilch from parking, nor would they be renting out
private boxes.  Also there are 50,000 seats here, 80,000 there"
(TORONTO STAR, 12/8).

     This morning, the Manitoba Entertainment Complex Inc., will
announce that it has "nearly reached its marketing goals and
plans for a new arena in Winnipeg is moving ahead quickly."  MEC
spokesperson John Leowen refused to say how many club seats have
been sold in the five weeks since the marketing program began,
but sources at MEC put the number at around 1,200.  The goal was
1,500, but MEC member Bob Silver said the group "raised far more
money than they had projected before the marketing project had
begun."  MEC still needs to meet with the city on a proposed
site.  Loewen said the group preferred the Forks, a sight just
outside the city, but could live with a downtown location (Scott
Taylor, WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, 12/8).

     The proposal for a state-of-the-art arena in downtown
Washington won approval yesterday from a "key" city agency.  The
Redevelopment Land Agency voted 3-1 to recommend that the city
"lease a prime parcel of land" to the National Capital
Development Corp (NCDC).  The NCDC plans to build a $200M
facility to be home to Abe Pollin's Bullets and Capitals.  The
RLA said a competing proposal by BET President Robert Johnson
"might be better for the city and chided Pollin for not offering
the District more."  Johnson has offered to pay for the facility
himself in exchange for an opportunity to purchase a share of the
teams from Pollin, but Pollin has refused to negotiate with
Johnson.  While Johnson has the money, he "has no teams to occupy
the arena," and that was the driving force behind the RLA's
decision.  The proposal now must go to the D.C. Council, and
eventually "win backing on Capitol Hill."  Johnson said he will
pursue "legal options," and plans to "argue to the new Republican
Congress" that the city should not support using public funds
"when private sector entrepreneurs are ready to assume the risk"
(Howard Schneider, WASHINGTON POST, 12/8).

     The Raptors and Canada Post are "closing in on a deal" for a
new arena.  Club officials said they hope to have the land
matters resolved by the end of the year, and a city hall source
said the main differences on the deal "seems to be the land's
value."  Raptors President John Bitove:  "We're not working hard
on any of the other proposed sites" (James Christie, Toronto
GLOBE & MAIL, 12/8).

     Boston leaders angrily reacted to yesterday's reports that
officials in RI and CT are discussing "multimillion-dollar
incentives" with Patriots Owner Robert Kraft in an attempt to
attract the team.  Boston Mayor Thomas Menino criticized Kraft
for "exploring stadium and summer training option in Rhode
Island, while discussion similar issues with officials here."
Menino: "Next time its Maine.  I'm getting a little frustrated.
... If you don't want us to look for a stadium in the city
separate from a convention center, tell us.  We're wasting a lot
of time and energy on this issue" (Meyer & Estes, BOSTON HERALD,
12/8).  Patriots spokesperson Don Lowery said "there is no
threat.  We are just trying to pursue what's prudent for us in
the long term."  Lowery did say that discussions with CT were
"fleeting and informal and not pursued" (Kindleberger, BOSTON
GLOBE, 12/8).  RI officials say a new stadium could be built
"without legislative approval" with up to $250M in funds
available from the RI Port Authority.  In CT, officials have not
"made a firm offer," but have "discussed something similar" to
the package they offered the Rams: a 60,000-seat stadium, $86M
signing bonus and $20M training center (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/7).
     SOX CHANGE THEIR TUNE:  A top Red Sox official said the team
would consider sharing a home with the Patriots.  This could
"reshape the megaplex debate in the city," as it had been focused
around a dual convention center/domed stadium facility (Meyer &
Estes, BOSTON HERALD, 12/8).

     Joe Robbie is widely considered one of the finest facilities
in the NFL.  It was built in 1987 by Joe Robbie and hosted Super
Bowl XXIII in 1989.  It will also be the site of Super Bowl XXIX
on January 29th.


  
 
    
STADIUM:
    
Joe 
      Robbie Stadium, Miami, Florida
  
  
 
    
AGE:
    
Completed in 1987.
  
  
 
    
OWNERSHIP:
    
Privately owned by 
      Dolphins/Marlins Owner H. Wayne Huizenga.
  
  
 
    
CAPACITY:
    
74,916
  
  
 
    
MANAGEMENT:
    
Robbie Stadium Corporation
  
  
 
    
LUXURY 
      SEATS:
    
216 luxury boxes, owned 
      and operated by the Stadium Corp.
  
  
 
    
COST:
    
$115M. Built by Robbie 
      Stadium Corp. through private financing. Partial revenue raised through 
      advanced sale of licensing agreement on club and executive seats.
  
  
 
    
RENOVATION:
    
Currently undergoing 
      a $8M renovation; new floors, cup holders, furnishings, suite carpeting.
  
  
 
    
CONCESSIONS:
    
Fine Host - on management 
      fee basis.
  
  
 
    
PARKING:
    
On-sight parking for 
      15,000 — auxiliary lots of 6,000. $10 fee — team receives % of 
      revenue.
  
  
 
    
ADVERTISING:
    
Handled by Stadium 
      Corp.— team gets % of revenue.
  
  
 
    
RENT:
    
H. Wayne Huizenga owns 
      the stadium outright.
  
  
 
    
LEASE:
    
Dolphins 30-year lease 
      expires 2017.
  


(Source: Robbie Stadium Corporation; rent figure from Florida
Times-Union article on July 24, 1994).