RFK SETTING A STADIUM PARADIGM? In DC, Thomas Heath
reported on the future of RFK Stadium, and noted that
stadium proponents say that while the "facility's glory days
... are probably gone," it "is structurally sound and is
capable of playing a niche role in Washington sports." DC
Sports & Entertainment Commission CFO Scott Burrell: "It's
never going to be like the Redskins days, but with [the]
XFL, nontraditional concerts in the parking lots, some
women's soccer and other kinds of soccer, RFK may become the
paradigm of the post-franchise stadium" (WASH. POST, 6/25).
RED SOX PUSH THE BASES: The Red Sox "are pressing their
drive to drum up support for a new ballpark among fans."
The team is airing commercials touting plans for a new
Fenway during games. In the past week, a new ad has debuted
featuring Red Sox P Pedro Martinez and SS Nomar Garciaparra
(BOSTON HERALD, 6/24). In Boston, Jim Baker writes, "What
could be more obnoxious than those blatant pro-stadium
pitches between and even during innings, when fans are
trying to enjoy a game?" (BOSTON HERALD, 6/25). Also in
Boston, Adrian Walker wrote on the team's pursuit for a new
ballpark: "The Red Sox have badly mishandled the public
relations and lobbying on this project. ... After unveiling
their initial vision for the park, they should have begun
working with the neighborhood" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/24).
PACKERS NAMING RIGHTS A RECORD? Green Bay Mayor Paul
Jadin, a proponent of selling naming rights to a renovated
Lambeau Field: "I think it could be the biggest naming
rights deal in NFL history" (MIL. JOURNAL SENTINEL, 6/25).
