A group of Boston's business leaders contribute an op-
ed in today's BOSTON GLOBE challenging MA to make a renewed
effort to keep the Patriots. The column is written by Bell
Atlantic New England President Wayne Budd, Connell LP Chair
William Connell, Hill, Holliday, Connors, Cosmopulos Chair
John Connors, Kirk & Associates Chair Paul Kirk, Jr., Boston
Edison Co. Chair Thomas May and BC Chancellor J. Donald
Monan. The group writes that it has "been conferring" with
the NFL on the Patriots situation and "if we in New
England's capitol city rally quickly to the cause, we
believe the NFL can encourage the Patriots to make
Massachusetts their permanent home." The NFL "would welcome
a plan for the needed new stadium in its original market and
has challenged us to develop one before its next owners'
meeting in late May. The NFL itself will help by
contributing significant new front-end financing to the
stadium construction as part of the Patriots' share" (BOSTON
GLOBE, 4/16). Budd tells the BOSTON GLOBE: "I have not had
any talks with [the Kraft's]. It's simply that the league
is exploring ... ways that the team might stay in Boston"
(BOSTON GLOBE, 4/16). NFL VP/Communications Greg Aiello
confirmed that some members had met with NFL Commissioner
Paul Tagliabue and Exec VP/League Development Roger Goodell
(BOSTON HERALD, 4/16). In Boston, Battenfeld & Miga report
that the group and its leader, Kirk, "still face a skeptical
Legislature and likely resistance" from Boston Mayor Tom
Menino and House Speaker Tom Finneran (BOS. HERALD, 4/16).
FINAL 15 MINUTES IN CT? In Boston, Cosmo Macero Jr.
reports that sources close to the CT stadium project say
that Patriots advisors "are genuinely concerned about the
condition" of the Hartford stadium site and the prospects
for getting the stadium built in time for 2002. Team VP/
Business Operations Andy Wasynczuk: "We need to get some
closure on these things." Macero also notes that the
Adriaen's Landing project is being redesigned to cut about
$60M from the cost. With "less federal funding" than
anticipated, the development will now have 20% less shopping
space and replace below-ground parking facilities with
"cheaper above-ground parking" (BOSTON HERALD, 4/16),
