In Nashville, Michael Cass reports the Titans’ bid to "give LP Field a makeover took an important step Monday as the Metro Sports Authority signed off on the renovation plan and the city’s ticket-tax-driven financing proposal." The authority "agreed to the Titans’ plan for up to $26.8 million in capital improvements, including high-definition video screens, a more reliable sound system, LED 'ribbon' boards, a new control room, fan entertainment and event areas, and elevators to the upper parts of the stadium." The Titans said that the enhancements, "scheduled for completion next year, are necessary to make sure fans continue to have a good experience and that the facility represents Nashville well on national television" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 11/8).
NOT DEFINITIVE: Kraft Group spokesperson Jeff Cournoyer, when asked if the company could definitively say there will not be a casino at Patriot Place, responded, "We have never spoken in absolutes like that about any of our businesses. What we have said many times is that the property has been shovel ready for development for several years and we have spent considerable time, energy and financial resources trying to pursue a major commercial development that would facilitate job creation and incremental tax revenue for the Commonwealth and the Town of Foxboro" (Attleboro SUN CHRONICLE, 11/4).
STANDING STRONG: In California, Howard Cole wrote Dodger Stadium "is not 'deteriorating'" as some have claimed. Cole: "It does not need to be razed, rebuilt, replaced or retrofitted, and anyone who says otherwise is just plain" wrong. It "most certainly does not need an extreme makeover for a new owner to profit beyond his wildest dreams" (OCREGISTER.com, 11/5).
RETURN OF THE ROCK: In Ft. Lauderdale, Ben Crandell reported first-day ticket sales for WrestleMania XXVIII at Sun Life Stadium "set a record over the weekend, with $6.3 million, shattering the previous record of $4.8 million for the 25th anniversary of WrestleMania in Atlanta." Tickets went on sale Saturday for the April 1 event, featuring a "main event matching local legend Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson’s return to the ring against John Cena" (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 11/7).
