PACKERS STADIUM UPDATE: In Green Bay, Scott Hildebrand
writes that WI State Senator Robert Cowles "has formally
requested" a state audit of the Packers' finances in
"anticipation" of the team seeking public funding for a new
or renovated stadium. Packers President Bob Harlan said
that the team is "preparing a response" (GREEN BAY PRESS-
GAZETTE, 1/12). In Milwaukee, Don Walker cites Harlan as
saying that if a new stadium is needed, it could delay the
team's plans beyond 2003. But if Lambeau Field can be
improved, the Packers are "still hopeful they can be in a
revamped" stadium by 2003 (JOURNAL SENTINEL, 1/12).
NOTES: In Phoenix, Alexa Haussler reports that the Los
Arcos Stadium District board has hired Blockbuster Desert
Sky Pavilion developer Allen Flexer as a consultant for a
Coyotes arena complex in Scottsdale. The district will pay
Flexer $175 an hour, up to $60,000, to "help draft a
redevelopment agreement" with the team (ARIZONA REPUBLIC,
1/12)....In Seattle, Jeff Hodson wrote that much of the
equipment at the Kingdome has "been sold through four
auctions," with a fifth auction set for May 13. Kingdome
spokesperson Carol Keaton: "We won't give anything away. We
either sell it or put it in the trash bin" (S. TIMES, 1/11).
