Dolphins CEO Mike Dee said that he is “optimistic that South Florida will get a chance to bid" on the '16 Super Bowl, but "stadium renovations are key.” Dee: “Competition for Super Bowls from a venue perspective has never been as fierce as it is today.” He added, “We’re contemplating a canopy, which would cover just the seating areas, the playing field would always stay open to the natural elements.” In Miami, Adam Kuperstein notes the Dolphins “asked for public funding to cover part of the expenses of the canopy and other upgrades to the stadium.” That bid “went nowhere in the state legislature.” Dee said that the “timing was bad and they’ll try again” (NBCMIAMI.com, 2/1).
PLAYING DEFENSE: In San Jose, Mike Rosenberg reports civic leaders behind the new 49ers stadium in Santa Clara “have filed a lawsuit trying to block opponents from putting the project back on the ballot.” City Attorney Ren Nosky “filed the 14-page complaint Monday in Santa Clara County Superior Court against the grass-roots group Santa Clara Plays Fair” (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 2/2).
PASSION FOR TORREY PINES: In San Diego, Tod Leonard notes golfer Phil Mickelson “spoke with great enthusiasm Wednesday about his vision for refurbishing the North Course at Torrey Pines.” There are “still many details that would need to be worked out before Mickelson can even consider that he has secured the job.” City Golf Manager Mark Marney said, “There has been one preliminary, 20-minute conversation about this. From that conversation we think there is great potential. Phil is a local guy. We appreciate his passion for Torrey Pines.” Marney added, “But there are a lot of issues that need to be looked at before we can actually look at executing anything” (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE , 2/2).
