In Miami, David Smiley reports Miami Beach Commissioners yesterday "again snubbed" the Dolphins, "unanimously voting to back a yet-to-be-filed state bill that would create a funding mechanism for a proposed renovation of the city's aging convention center -- but not for Sun Life Stadium." The commission vote "reinforces the city's position that the two renovation projects should not be linked, and that the football franchise should not get public dollars to spruce up its stadium" (MIAMI HERALD, 2/10). Meanwhile, it was announced yesterday Sun Life Stadium will host WrestleMania XXVII next spring. Miami-Dade Sports Commission Exec Dir Mike Sophia said that the organization "offered WrestleMania's producers a $250,000 cash incentive, which will be raised through grants and sponsorships, and assistance with permitting and rental at Miami-Dade venues" (MIAMI HERALD, 2/10).
ESCAPE THE HEAT: In Phoenix, Ryan Randazzo reports Arizona Public Service Co. is building a $1M solar shade "at the west entrance to Chase Field." The structure, which has "red-and-beige panels matching the Diamondbacks' team colors," will shade "about 17,000 square feet of the plaza and include exhibits on renewable power and energy efficiency" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 2/10).
CHERRY ON TOP: In San Antonio, Brent Zwerneman reports Texas A&M Univ. for the first time "has tagged one of its athletic venues with a corporate sponsor." Blue Bell Ice Cream Owner the Kruse family "made a $7 million donation toward the renovation" of Olsen Field, which beginning next year will be known as Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park. The school last week "broke ground on a $24 million upgrade, with the extreme makeover scheduled for completion in about a year" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 2/10).
GOING PROSPECTING: In Chicago, Mitchell & Kaplan reported Cubs Owner the Ricketts family is "looking to buy a large parcel of land in the Dominican Republic to build a new Cubs Academy to develop prospects" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/9).
