In Sacramento, Marcos Breton noted there is still a chance a downtown arena "could be voted down if the deal makers ask a broke city to use its general fund as a backstop for cost overruns." But Breton wrote if the deal "leaves the general fund unharmed, then yes, it's worth doing. It wouldn't be a panacea for the city, but it would be an important step for many reasons." Breton: "We have too many dead spots in our downtown to let pass an opportunity to create energy and opportunities. Nothing good would happen if the Kings left. We'd be stuck with an antiquated building and land around it that presumably would still be the property of the owners of the franchise we no longer had" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 2/12).
FENCED OFF: In Orlando, Mark Schlueb noted merchants across the street from Amway Center "asked a state court for an emergency injunction late Friday to stop a security fence from going up in front of their businesses during the NBA All-Star Game." The NBA has "already received a permit from the city of Orlando to close West Church Street and erect an 8-foot fence around the arena and the street." Once the fence "goes up in two weeks, only those with tickets will be able to enter the gated area, where there will be an outdoor concert and other festivities." A lawyer representing the owners of eight businesses across the street from the arena, and outside the fence, said that "blocking off the arena will cause them irreparable financial harm." The city has "offered the businesses up to $3,000 each to settle the issue, but the merchants have previously demanded $3.5 million" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 2/11).
TEMPORARY SHELTER: ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert noted the Vikings "still don't have a home stadium" for '12, which is a fact that has "grown in relevance now that other teams are beginning to put season tickets up for sale." Two "legitimate possibilities" remain for the Vikings -- the Metrodome and the Univ. of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium. Vikings VP/Sales & Marketing and CMO Steve LaCroix said Friday that the team will "update the situation" this week (ESPN.com, 2/10).
TRACK DISMANTLING: In L.A., Keith Lair noted Irwindale Speedway "appears to be history." On Saturday, workers "appeared to be closing down the facility" and were "dismantling the pit grandstand, which is adjacent to the first turn" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 2/12).
