In AZ, Pat Flannery reports that a "statewide bed tax
envisioned" to help pay for a new Cardinals stadium will be
"scaled back in an effort that proponents hope will make it
more palatable to lawmakers and winnable at the polls."
Under the proposed revision, a 1% hotel bed tax would be
enacted "only in Maricopa County [AZ], scrapping an
additional half-percent tax" that had been previously
suggested for the rest of AZ. The revision will cut "about"
$200M from the revenue raised for the stadium by bed taxes
over the next 30 years (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 2/24).
NOTES: Legg Mason Wood Walker has been selected as the
Padres' financial adviser and exclusive placement agent for
the team's downtown ballpark and redevelopment project (Legg
Mason)....The Tigers will host a series of open house events
prior to the opening of Comerica Park in an effort to help
fans "get comfortable" with the new facility. During the
tours, a "full array" of concession and restaurant items
"will be available" (DETROIT NEWS, 2/24)....In Cincinnati,
Dan Klepal reports that the "first visible work" on the new
$280M Reds ballpark started Wednesday, as crews "took down
the big scoreboard in center field at Cinergy Field"
(CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 2/24)....Columbus Crew Stadium GM Mark
McCullers said that the stadium could host pro lacrosse
events, as Columbus is "under consideration" to be one of
the venues for Major League Lacrosse's Summer Showcase.
Crew GM Jim Smith: "We'd be a perfect site for crowds in the
10,000 to 15,000 range, not that I know what they're hoping
to draw." Meanwhile, "no one has contacted the Crew" about
a team in the WUSA. Smith: "We'd be very receptive. We're
not just sitting around. We're making calls but also
realize it's still very early" (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 2/23).
...The Warriors have renewed their ticket services contract
with Tickets.com. Warriors tickets will be sold through
Tickets.com's ticket distribution system, including online
through the Tickets.com Web site (Tickets.com).
