The "lure of pro football" has Phoenix Home Life Mutual
Insurance "considering including an open-air, NFL-quality
stadium" in the $1B Adriaen's Landing riverfront
entertainment district project, according to Swift & Davis
in a front-page report in the HARTFORD COURANT. Phoenix
"wants to open a door of opportunity" for the Patriots, as
the team has "reached an impasse" with MA over a new
stadium. Hartford Mayor Michael Peters said he "discussed
the possibility of an open-air stadium" with Phoenix Chair &
CEO Robert Fiondella, but called talk "very preliminary."
Swift & Davis write that it "is not known how much planning
has been done" by either the Patriots or Phoenix regarding a
stadium. Peters doesn't believe "that any initial planning
for a big, open-air stadium won't hurt the convention center
or Adriaen's Landing" (HARTFORD COURANT, 8/10).
TAKE 95 SOUTH: In Boston, Michael Gee wrote under the
header "Foxboro Overdue For Farewell." Gee: "I never once
saw a game at Foxboro without also realizing what an
uncomfortable place it is to work and play. ... And lately,
when I think of Foxboro Stadium, I find myself thinking,
'Ahh, the drive to Hartford isn't that bad'" (HERALD, 8/9).
