Facility Notes

The AP’s Michael Gormley wrote a the U.S. Domestic Policy Subcommittee is examining the Yankees’ bid for another $350M in public financing for their new ballpark, a move that “broadens the question of whether taxpayers should finance professional sports venues.” U.S. Rep Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), the subcommittee Chair, is “asking whether the [IRS] can change its regulations and allow stadium projects such as the new Yankee Stadium to receive public-backed financing with tax breaks.” The Nets and Mets “could also benefit, as well as … pro teams nationwide, if the IRS agrees with the New York City Industrial Development Agency and alters its policy against stadium funding” (AP, 6/14).

Santa Clara Extends Deadline For 49ers Stadium Financing Plan Until February

DELAY OF GAME: In San Jose, Mike Swift reported Santa Clara city officials “moved Friday to extend the deadline” for a 49ers stadium financing plan by seventh months to February. The delay means Santa Clara voters “won’t get their say on the stadium issue until next June at the earliest, but city and team officials insist the slow pace of talks doesn’t mean the project is in jeopardy” (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 6/14).

NOTES: New Balance is “shifting its Brine sporting goods unit to Michigan,” a move that “exports an 86-year-old Boston brand and could cost 50 people their jobs.” New Balance “plans to combine Brine with its Warrior division” (BOSTON HERALD, 6/14)....A BOSTON GLOBE editorial noted beginning with the ’04 playoffs, the Red Sox have had a “‘scalp-free zone’ for supervised ticket sales at face value. It’s a laudable move by the team and takes some of the sting out of the highest ticket prices in the major leagues.” Red Sox VP/Ticketing Ron Bumgarner indicated that “about 30 to 50 tickets change hands at an average game,” but he said that the team “tried not to ‘overpublicize’ the zone for fear that it would draw too many buyers” (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/14).