In Oakland, the City Council is scheduled to meet this
morning for its "first public airing of its troubled pro sports
deals," according to Rick DelVecchio in the SAN FRANCISCO
CHRONICLE. City Council member Ignacio De La Fuente reportedly
wants the Oakland Football Marketing Association and the Coliseum
board to "be more accountable to the city and county" (S.F.
CHRONICLE, 10/24)....In Philadelphia, CoreStates Center
"insiders" say the CoreStates Center will soon be smoke-free,
although arena officials said "the matter is still being
examined" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 10/24)....Braves President
and New Jersey native Stan Kasten said he tried to visit the
bleachers at Yankee Stadium during the first two World Series
games, but "stopped cold." Kasten: "To me, it looked like
'Midnight Express'" (NEWSDAY, 10/24)....SI's "Point After" by
Michael Farber writes on the stadium building boom under the
header "Never Trust A Stadium Over 30." Farber: "Taxpayers
beware: Don't assume that an investment of hundreds of millions
is going to last your lifetime, let alone your children's
lifetimes" (SI, 10/28 issue).
