RI Gov. Lincoln Almond said he would like to complete a
stadium deal with the Patriots this week, but said, "we
still have a way to go," according to Karen Lee Ziner of the
Providence JOURNAL-BULLETIN. Reacting to reports on Boston
news stations yesterday that the team plans to announce a
stadium deal with the state of RI "this week," Almond said
"we're still verifying things ... It takes a lot of
diligence on both sides to finalize figures." Providence
Mayor Vincent Cianci "reiterated" that there were a number
of issues remaining (JOURNAL-BULLETIN, 9/15). In Boston,
Will McDonough reported the Patriots "appear to be a lock"
to move to RI, with the state finalizing its offer "within
the next month." McDonough added there is "no sweetener" in
the deal for Patriots Owner Robert Kraft, as the state will
give him the land for the stadium, help with the roadways
necessary, contribute "some money" to the construction of
the new stadium, and "perhaps" set aside a piece of land at
the site that the team can develop (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/13).
