ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Giants Stadium is "a
year away from ... having grass." Mortensen: "Remember last
year they experimented with it, and then this past weekend
was a big time ... test. Friday night, [the] Jets played
there against the Eagles in the rain. Saturday night, the
Giants come back and play, and that field was in pretty good
[condition], and what it's done, is pretty much motivated
everyone there to get grass in Giants Stadium in the year
2000" ("Monday Night Countdown," ESPN, 8/23)....In
Nashville, Larry Woody writes that construction of a new
$125M, six-track motorsports complex located just outside of
Nashville is set to begin on Thursday. The track "is
scheduled to be completed in time for" the 2001 season and
"can count on getting a second-tier NASCAR Busch race and a
truck race" (TENNESSEAN, 8/24).
THE TIES THAT BIND: In St. Paul, Charley Walters cites
sources "who know" as saying that the NFL "has thoroughly
examined" the Vikings' Metrodome lease, which runs through
2011, and "is convinced the team cannot legally move
elsewhere" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 8/24). Meanwhile,
Metropolitan Sports Commission Exec Dir Bill Lester said
that as of Friday, 71 citizens had pledged $11,121.15 toward
the state's stadium fund, not counting MN Gov. Jesse
Ventura's pledge of $1,000 (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 8/21).
