The NFL's deal to return football to Cleveland not only
includes a provision calling on local companies to guarantee they
will rent most of the new stadium's loge and club seats for 10
years, it also states that Cleveland Tomorrow, a group
representing the city's top corporations, will be responsible for
providing a "cushion" against unsold luxury seats beyond that
time. That cushion would come in the form of upfront cash -- a
$3M deposit by December 31 -- or a $10M line of credit. But,
according to the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, Cleveland Tomorrow Exec
Dir Joseph Roman said his group learned of that commitment just
this week when final documents were released by Cleveland Mayor
Michael White. Kenneth Silliman, an Exec Assistant to Mayor
White, stressed that other businesses would be asked for "seed
money" in addition to Cleveland Tomorrow. He did not name a
specific organization (Stephen Koff, Cleveland PLAIN DEALER,
2/28).
GIVE IT UP: Columnist Terry Pluto argues that those on the
City Council who oppose the NFL's deal with the city should
remember one thing, "It's over." Pluto writes, "You may not
believe White secured the best deal, but hands were shook, papers
were signed" (Akron BEACON JOURNAL, 2/29).
OSU WILLING FOR SHORT-TERM: OSU President Gordon Gee said
the school would accommodate an NFL team in Columbus, but not for
more than two years (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 2/28).
