CHECKING IN WITH CHECKETTS: MSG President Dave Checketts, on the possibility of a new MSG: "Things are moving along. But we've got a ways to go. ... We're looking at all of our options" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 12/14). Checketts added, "A new Garden should have enough things to remind you of what's taken place at the Garden over the years. You've completely lost the feel of Chicago Stadium and Boston Garden in Chicago and Boston. I don't want to make that same mistake" (N.Y. TIMES, 12/14). DETROIT RACE CITY: THE DAILY RACING FORM's Tom Schram reported that Magna Int'l Chair & CEO Frank Stronach has purchased a 271-acre parcel of land in suburban Detroit and may build a new entertainment/racing complex on the site. The facility would include dirt Thoroughbred and Standardbred tracks and a turf course (DRF, 12/14). HERE TO STAY: CMGI VP/Marketing Bill White says that the company "has no intention of backing out" of it's naming rights deal for the new Patriots stadium despite the recent decline in the company's stock price. White said, "Our strategy that led us to this deal remains very much at the forefront of our activity, and that is to build the CMGI brand." White "insists" that "there's been no grief" from financial analysts on the deal. White: "They understand you have to spend money to make money" (Justin Pope, AP, 12/12).
