Facility Notes

Panthers Installing New Video Screens At Bank Of America Stadium

CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL's Erik Spanberg reports the NFL Panthers are investing $10M to install two new video screens in Bank of America Stadium, which will triple the size of current video boards in each end zone. Work began earlier this month on the 2,414-square-foot HD screens, and installation will be completed by July. The current screens were installed in '96 and cover 768 square feet (CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 1/11 issue).

DODGER STADIUM: In L.A., John Spano reports a jury yesterday ruled that the Dodgers are not responsible for injuries to fan Marta Helenius, who was assaulted in the Dodger Stadium parking lot after an '05 game, and instead found Helenius deserves $440,000 from her assailant. Dodgers Senior VP & General Counsel Santiago Fernandez: "The jury's verdict confirms that our security personnel acted properly under the circumstances and in keeping with our strong commitment to provide a safe and family-friendly atmosphere for all of our fans" (L.A. TIMES, 1/15).

AUSTRALIAN OPEN: During the first round of the Australian Open, Andrea Petkovic retired in the first game of her match against Anna Chakvetadze after injuring her knee on the new Plexicushion hardcourt surface. ESPN’s Pam Shriver said the injury “is exactly what use to happen on the Rebound Ace,” the tournament’s previous surface. ESPN’s Patrick McEnroe: “The players are saying it’s a little more difficult to sort of slide on this surface” (“Australian Open,” ESPN2, 1/14).

RAYS BALLPARK: MLB.com's Bill Chastain reported that the Rays selected Baltimore-based consulting firm Rummel, Klepper & Kahl to "prepare a transportation and parking management plan for the team's proposed $450[M] waterfront ballpark" (MLB.com, 1/14).