Facility Notes

T'Wolves CEO Rob Moor said that Target "hasn't shown a lot of interest in renewing the naming rights of the Target Center," but he added that there are "five companies who have shown interest." In Minneapolis, Sid Hartman notes the naming rights "expire this September" on the building that "has been called Target Center since it opened" in '90. Moor said that Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak "has assured Wolves owners that he will find some money to remodel Target Center in the near future" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 1/21).

DEBT NEARLY PAID OFF: In Green Bay, Richard Ryman reported the Green Bay/Brown County Professional Football Stadium District Wednesday said that it will pay off $22.5M in bonds on Feb. 1, leaving $18.5M "in debt on the 2003 renovation of Lambeau Field." Stadium District Exec Dir Patrick Webb said that the plan is to "pay off the remaining debt by Aug. 1." The district "must then set aside money for mandated operations and maintenance costs of the stadium through the end of the lease" with the Packers in '31. Webb said that he "expects to terminate the 0.5 percent Brown County sales tax, which is paying for the bonds," by '15 (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 1/20).

KEEPING OPTIONS OPEN: In Baltimore, Ryan Sharrow reported MLS DC United President & CEO Kevin Payne "expects to meet soon with city and state officials to talk about the potential of a new waterfront soccer stadium in Baltimore for the franchise." Baltimore developer Pat Turner "envisions building a nearly 20,000-seat stadium for the franchise as part of his 42-acre Westport development" off I-95. Payne said that the team "would be looking for a public-private partnership to make the project work." Sharrow noted reports surfaced this week that the team is also "scouting four sites in DC for a potential home" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 1/20).

HOME IMPROVEMENTS: Red Sox President & CEO Larry Lucchino said that the club "will 're-examine' plans to expand the Fenway Park bullpens next winter." The project "would require the right-field fence to be brought in by at least 9 feet." Lucchino added that the team already has "gotten approval for $40 million worth of renovations to Fenway, including three video boards in center field" (BOSTON HERALD, 1/21).