In San Jose, Angela Woodall notes SMG “issued a 10-page complaint protesting the decision” by the Joint Power Authority to negotiate with AEG for the O.co Coliseum and Oracle Arena management contract. SMG’s lawyers “cited ‘substantial irregularities’ during the April 20 board meeting, when JPA commissioners voted 4-3 ... to choose AEG.” SMG in the complaint asks the JPA to “withdraw their decision and select a bidder for the five-year contract in a ‘legal, transparent and educated manner.’” The board has 30 days to act, and if it refuses, SMG could “ask a judge to decide” (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 5/1).
NO HORSEPLAY: In New Jersey, John Brennan notes Hialeah Park Owner John Brunetti yesterday “withdrew his legal protest of the state's decision to turn over operations of Monmouth Park to the Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association." The truce comes less than two weeks before the resumption of racing at Monmouth Park, which the state has run since the mid-1980s, “but in recent years had lost millions annually in on-track operations.” Brunetti had been proposing a “thoroughbred racing joint meet” between Monmouth Park and Hialeah Park (BERGEN RECORD, 5/1).
MOVING FORWARD: In Ottawa, Dan Reevely reported the Ontario Court of Appeals yesterday ruled unanimously that the city “legally entered a partnership” with Ottawa Sports & Entertainment Group for the redevelopment of Lansdowne Park. The three-judge panel's unanimity means Friends of Lansdowne, which filed the complaint, doesn’t have an “automatic right to an appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada.” Friends of Lansdowne President June Creelman said that the group “hasn’t made a quick decision about an appeal, but hopes to decide in the next few days” (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 5/1).
WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?: In Canada, Terrence McEachern notes the Regina City Council yesterday “approved a much anticipated status update” on the estimated C$1B inner-city revitalization and new stadium project. Unfinished aspects of the project are “the cost and design concept for a new stadium, gaining final approval from council on the proposed P3 funding model for the project, hiring a developer to complete the work and determining a plan for operating the new stadium.” Construction on the new stadium is “expected to begin in 2013 and completed in three years” (Regina LEADER POST, 5/1).
