Facility Notes

On Long Island, Neil Best cites a source as saying that the Nets, whose lease at Continental Airlines Arena expires after the ’07-08 season, “are discussing an extension” through 2011-12 with the NJSEA. The deal would “include escape clauses if the Nets’ proposed downtown Brooklyn arena is completed before then” (NEWSDAY, 7/7).

ISC: ISC officials said in a conference call on Thursday that “expectations for proposed speedways in ... Staten Island and in Washington state have been pushed back to 2011 from 2010.” ISC Exec VP & COO John Saunders “cited regulatory and political processes as factors in the dates being pushed back” (FLORIDA TODAY, 7/7).

FEDEXFORUM: Memphis City Council member Carol Chumney said that the Grizzlies’ potential $3M in profits from the FedExForum parking garage “should be returned to the public.” In Memphis, David Williams notes the team’s arena operating contract “grants the Grizzlies all arena revenues, including those from the garage,” but Chumney argued that another section says that the Grizzlies must operate the facility “in accordance with all applicable Codes.” The contract defines “Codes” to include those of the local, state and federal governments (COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 7/7).