Packers Dir of Security & Risk Management Doug Collins apologized yesterday for the "long lines fans had to endure to get into Lambeau Field" for Sunday's game against the Broncos. Collins said that the team and the Green Bay Police Department "would study a range of options to get it right for the next home game" on Oct. 16. In Milwaukee, Don Walker notes on Sunday, "thousands of fans were unable to get into the stadium in time" for the 3:15pm CT kickoff. The NFL this season "ordered teams to enhance security," and the Packers and police "elected to use hand-held metal-detecting wands on fans entering the stadium instead of a full pat-down search" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 10/4).
PHONE IT IN: In Indianapolis, Anthony Schoettle reports city officials are "set to finalize a multimillion-dollar deal to expand the wireless-device bandwidth in and around Lucas Oil Stadium in time for the Super Bowl Feb. 5." Indianapolis Capitol Improvement Board Exec Dir Barney Levengood, whose municipal corporation owns and operates the stadium, said that wireless phone providers "will pay the cost, though he declined to provide details because the deal hasn't been signed." Officials for the "three major wireless providers involved in the project -- Verizon Wireless, AT&T and Sprint -- said it's a seven-figure project, and that part of the work already has begun." The wireless providers said that in addition to "paying to upgrade bandwidth, they'll make lease payments to CIB for the space where they'll put their equipment" (INDIANAPOLIS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 9/30 issue).
MAKING A PLEA: In Edmonton, Jodie Sinnema reports with "less than a month until a Katz Group-imposed deadline for a deal on a downtown arena," Oilers President & CEO Patrick LaForge is "pleading for supporters to increase pressure on politicians to push through the plan." LaForge in an e-mail yesterday said, "I am sending this note to our key supporters because now is the time to mobilize. If you and your organizations support the proposed downtown arena and Edmonton Arena District, it is important that you be heard and make your support known." LaForge "wouldn't say how many people or exactly to whom he sent the message." But he indicated that he "sent it to personal friends who asked for more information and facts about the issue" (EDMONTON JOURNAL, 10/4).
