LMS VP/Promotions & PR Jerry Gappens said that the
track "will no longer" sell "restricted-view" seats online
so a "real person can warn the buyer" about the view
(CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 8/16)....In Charlotte, Kaitlin Gurney
reports that the NC Court of Appeals yesterday "dismissed" a
two-year-old lawsuit that argued taxpayers are "cheated by
the agreement allowing the Hornets to play" at the Charlotte
Coliseum. Former City Council and Coliseum Authority member
Ed Peacock "contended" that the deal is "unconstitutional
because it benefits private business over taxpayers." The
contract and '98 amendments give Hornets Owner George Shinn
a 50% share of parking and concessions profits from Hornets
games (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 8/16)....The Univ. of CT,
scheduled to host its first Big East football game in 2003,
"could face environmental snags" on the site of its proposed
40,000-seat stadium. A report in the Hartford Courant
stated the land "is home to two endangered species of birds"
(USA TODAY, 8/16)....Denver business exec John Hickenlooper
has launched a Web site to keep the Mile High name on the
new Broncos stadium. The Web site, at
www.friendsofmilehigh.com, offers "background on the issue
and a link to the stadium district's Web site" (DENVER POST,
8/15)....In Las Vegas, Dean Juipe wrote that the A's "are
looking elsewhere" for a new ballpark as though they're
"drawing fairly well," and co-Owner Steve Schott "admits
they at least break even" with a $33M payroll. Juipe:
"Instead of being grateful for decent support in a
relatively small market, Schott wants to be wined and dined
and showered with dollars as if they were laurel wreaths"
(L.V. SUN, 8/15)....In Cleveland, Vosburgh & Quinn wrote
that "dealing with" 1,687 shatter-prone glass panels" inside
Cleveland Browns Stadium "is likely to cost" $1M, but who
"would pay the bill is not known." However, the city
already is spending $150,000 to "coat the existing panels"
with a protective plastic film (PLAIN DEALER, 8/15).
