Cleveland Mayor Michael White said he had no knowledge of
AT&T spending $600M to back a domed stadium, convention center
and hotel complex on the Lakefront, according to the Akron
BEACON-JOURNAL. White said the city has "not found one shred of
information to prove that this is a credible offer." AT&T did
not deny interest, but "quickly distanced itself" once a WEWS-TV
report became public Monday. A statement from AT&T acknowledged
"preliminary discussions with the city of Cleveland about a wide
range of business possibilities," but they denied any offer to
fund a stadium. Gary Ebert, a Cleveland attorney, said he was
exploring an opportunity on AT&T's behalf that included spending
$600M, in addition to the $275M already from the NFL and other
sources, on development. In exchange, AT&T would want naming
rights, the area designated a tax-free enterprise zone, and the
phone contract. White did not discount AT&T, but said there had
been "no negotiations with me, with my administration or with any
representatives of my administration" (Arnie Rosenberg, BEACON
JOURNAL, 4/17).
