In K.C., Blair Kerkhoff wrote the scene at Sprint Center on Friday "was festive" after the Big 12 announced "a two-year extension" for its men's basketball tournament, keeping the event in the city through ‘16. For the first time in a site selection, the Big 12 has “the rights to tournament dates” beyond ’16. The Sprint Center will hold dates for the Big 12 beyond the new contract, "although it was unclear when such a request would be triggered” (K.C. STAR, 6/2).
ON TARGET: In Montreal, Randy Phillips wrote the MLS Impact’s Saputo Stadium is “ready to be delivered on budget and on time for its official reopening on June 16," when the team plays host to the Sounders. Impact President Joey Saputo said, “We’ve been assured that everything is going as scheduled, so I’m comfortable with that.” The stadium will be 99% complete "in two weeks, with the only exception a portion of grandstand seating for approximately 900 on the east side” (Montreal GAZETTE, 6/3).
PUT TO REST: In Sacramento, Ryan Lillis wrote the campaign to force a public vote on a downtown arena for the NBA Kings "is dead -- for now.” Campaign organizers “failed to get the 21,000 valid signatures they needed for a November ballot measure asking voters whether they approved of public assistance for an arena in the downtown railyard” (SACBEE.com, 6/1).
BUILDING COSTS: In DC, Jonathan O’Connell noted data from a study commissioned by the Great Washington Sports Alliance shows a new stadium for the MLS DC United would cost "at least" $157M to build, but could generate $5.5M-$7.3M a year "in tax revenue for the District." The 35-page report compiled by Convention, Sports & Leisure Int'l “envisions a 24,000-seat stadium -- with 50 suites, 240 loge seats and 1,200 club seats -- on Buzzard Point in Southwest Washington.” The $157M price tag “includes labor, materials, design, engineering and other professional fees but may not [include] the cost of acquiring land.” Real estate company Akridge, which owns most of the land on Buzzard Point, and Clark Construction both “contributed to cost estimates" (WASHINGTON POST, 6/3).
