MN BALLPARK: In Minneapolis, Olson & Weiner report that
"in search of a way to privately fund a new ballpark," the
New Ballpark committee is "set to consider an untested idea:
trade development rights to land throughout Minneapolis for
a developer's cash contribution to a downtown stadium." The
plan will be part of a proposed financial package released
at a meeting tonight (STAR TRIBUNE, 11/20).
MAGIC TO EXPAND HEATH CONCEPT: Magic President Bob
Vander Weide tells the ORLANDO SENTINEL's Brian Schmitz that
the DeVos family is "eyeing a south Orlando location to
build another heath club/sports medicine facility," similar
to its Sportsplex. Vander Weide said that other facilities
may be built around the country (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 11/20).
TAGLIABUE VISITS FOXBORO: NFL Commissioner Paul
Tagliabue viewed construction of the Patriots' new CMGI
Field in Foxboro yesterday. Tagliabue said the facility was
on schedule to open in 2002, adding, "The unique aspect is
the concourse level, where you have a view of the game no
matter where you are" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/20). CMGI Field
will be the 20th new stadium completed under Tagliabue's
leadership as commissioner (BOSTON HERALD, 11/20).
HORNETS TALKS UNSETTLED? In Charlotte, Rick Bonnell
wrote on the Hornets' negotiations for a new arena: "Good
faith or not, I question if the City and the Hornets can
ever agree. These talks are troubled. There's distrust
that goes beyond normal negotiating ploys. And there's a
peculiar lack of urgency" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 11/19).
BOND BUYERS: In NJ, Matthew Futterman reports that the
NJSEA will sell $15M in bonds next month to pay for
"numerous capital projects" at the Meadowlands Sports
Complex. The funds will pay for a $2.3M scoreboard at the
Meadowlands Racetrack, $730,000 worth of safety upgrades at
Giants Stadium and other projects (STAR-LEDGER, 11/20).
