After their tour of arenas in Cleveland, Philadelphia
and Washington, DC, last week, members of Charlotte's New
Arena Committee said that the Hornets "can't survive without
a new home," but were unclear "where the money would come
from." Some members "wondered whether [Hornets' Owner
George] Shinn would be a liability in building support for a
publicly subsidized arena." But committee member Sam Smith
said, "I don't think it's so much the perception of George
Shinn. I think it's the issue of can an individual make the
investment that's required?" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 11/22).
...The Bears made their "first formal attempt at swaying
public opinion" for a new stadium in Elk Grove, IL, by
running an ad in suburban papers last week in which team
President Mike McCaskey wrote, "We know we have many
positives to share with you, and we look forward to getting
your ideas and concerns" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 11/22)....Nassau
County, NY, has hired Merrill Lynch & Co. "to advise" the
municipality during negotiations over a possible new $250M
arena for the "embattled" Islanders (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL,
11/23)....In Houston, Astros Owner Drayton McLane announced
Monday that the team and the Senterra Real Estate Group have
withdrawn their bid to purchase the block of land owned by
the Port of Houston Authority, which is located across the
street from The Ballpark at Union Station (Astros).
