NFL sources indicated that the league "has agreed to
pay" CT "roughly" $2.4M after the Patriots' "decision to
back out of the proposed Hartford stadium deal last spring
and remain" in MA, according to Meg Vaillancourt of the
BOSTON GLOBE. The payment "is expected to settle all claims
Connecticut might seek against the league and all its
entities stemming from" the Patriots' decision. The money
is "intended to repay" CT for expenses taxpayers incurred
"trying to purchase and clean up" the proposed stadium site.
An "NFL official" said that while the league "was confident
its position would be upheld, officials agreed to the
payment to avoid an expensive legal battle" (BOSTON GLOBE,
2/25). In Hartford, Mike Swift cites sources as saying that
after the Patriots "scuttled" CT's $380M stadium plan, the
state "could wrap up a seven-figure settlement with the team
and possibly ... the league as soon as next week." CT is
still holding $2M the Patriots posted as "security that they
would not violate the terms of a development" agreed to by
Patriots Owner Robert Kraft and signed with CT Gov. John
Rowland. CT Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, on the
proposed settlement: "I'm hopeful we can resolve all the
issues as soon as possible" (HARTFORD COURANT, 2/25).
