Chicago Mayor Richard Daley "has soured on the Bears'
elaborate plan" to renovate Soldier Field due to the $400M-
plus price tag and "the team's apparent reluctance to
contribute the money necessary to make it work." Daley:
"I'm very frank with the team. I don't b.s. someone. I
just said, 'It's too high. It's non-negotiable.'" Daley,
asked if he was looking for a less expensive site for a new
stadium: "We don't know yet. ... It's not a priority"
(CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 10/19)....In Houston, a group of
African-American ministers backed off plans to renounce the
city's new arena deal after a minority business contract was
created with Rockets Owner Les Alexander. The group wants
30% of the work at the new arena handled by minorities and
assurances that "the builder and operator of the arena would
abide" by a deal (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/19)....In Detroit,
R.J. King reports that the Tigers, working under MLB's
Diverse Business Partners Program, have "exceeded" their
goal of committing 30% of vendor contracts for Comerica Park
to minority- and women-owned businesses (DETROIT NEWS,
10/19)....FL-based Outback Sports has created "The Trophy
Suite" at golf events, an enclosed unit that resembles
permanent skyboxes which includes "theater-style chairs,
catering capabilities and rooftop patio seating." Outback
Sports Dir of Sales & Marketing Bill Hager said that "about
30 PGA, LPGA and senior tour events ... have used the booths
to supplement regular skyboxes" (GOLFWORLD, 10/15 issue).
