A new Philadelphia Daily News/Fox Philadelphia Keystone
Sports Poll has found that while Philadelphia area residents
consider the Eagles and Phillies to be "important city
assets," they "don't agree" with the teams' claims that new
sports facilities are necessary, reports Edward Moran of the
PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS. The poll sample consisted of 484
area residents and found that 64% said the Eagles "are fine"
in Veterans Stadium, while 69% "said the same thing" about
the Phillies. In addition, "only" 8% said tax dollars
"should be used" for new stadiums; 45% said they shouldn't,
with 47% saying that it "depends on the circumstances." But
41% of the people said the city should "do whatever it
takes" to keep the Eagles, with 40% saying "the same thing"
of the Phillies. Phillies Chair Bill Giles said the results
"reflected the lack of a clear plan" on financing the new
facilities (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 10/21).
REAX: In Philadelphia, Rich Hoffman writes that the
poll "is good news" for the Phillies and Eagles: "The people
are pretty clear here, despite conflicting signals. They
don't want to be mugged, but they are willing to consider
paying" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 10/21). Philadelphia
Mayor Ed Rendell said he "does not believe" there is room
for two new stadium's in the city's future, and that
Veterans Stadium "is not beyond becoming a modern, revenue
producing" venue for either team, according to Edward Moran
of the PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS. Rendell: "The Vet could be
reconfigured, and we would spend some capital dollars
because we own it" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 10/21).
