In a "potentially devastating blow" to the Red Sox'
plans for a $665M ballpark, development consultant Bob Walsh
"has bolted the project" as the team enters a "critical
juncture" in its two-year pursuit of a new Fenway Park,
according to Macero & Guarino of the BOSTON HERALD. The
"surprise" departure leaves a "huge void" between Red Sox
CEO John Harrington and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, since
Walsh "served as a critical go-between in the often-stormy
relationship." Walsh, on notifying Harrington that his
company, RF Walsh, was severing its relationship with the
team: "It seemed to be in the best interests of our company.
We're in the project management and construction business,
not government relations." Macero & Guarino note that
Walsh's relationship to Menino and his "familiarity with the
machinations" of City Hall were "invaluable" to Harrington.
Walsh's "sudden departure could be a death blow to the
project" (BOSTON HERALD, 8/24). In Boston, Stephanie Ebbert
writes "although the City Council still must vote on city
financing for the project," Walsh said that he believes "the
project is in good hands" (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/24).
SETTING A PRECEDENT? Also in Boston, Scott Van Voorhis
writes the Patriots' naming rights deal with CMGI may have
put the Red Sox "in scoring position." Sportscorp President
Marc Ganis, on a Red Sox naming rights deal: "It will break
all records until one of the New York teams does a naming
rights deal." Ganis lists potential local naming rights
candidates as John Hancock Financial Services, FleetBoston
Financial and Fidelity Investments (BOSTON HERALD, 8/24).
