The Nov. 9 “Battle on the Midway” basketball game between San Diego State Univ. and Syracuse Univ. on the flight deck of the Midway Museum is “no longer headed to a watery grave” after “frantic bailing from Fox Sports San Diego and the two schools,” according to Mark Zeigler of the SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. FS San Diego went from “mere vendor to major stakeholder,” and the two schools will “take on a more active role than just showing up and playing.” FS San Diego President & GM Henry Ford said the RSN is assuming a “substantial” financial liability. Ford: “The promoter had some issues securing some sponsorships, which created some hardships for him. We kind of stepped up to make it happen. Producing a game of this magnitude is far more than a typical game would cost.” Zeigler reported several local businessmen were “also instrumental.” SDSU AD Jim Sterk said Co-Chair of UC-San Diego Athletic Board Jim Morris, former NFLer Phil McConkey, Pat Kilkenny and Padres Owner Ron Fowler each "stepped up financially." He added that SDSU “did not commit additional university funds but will handle ticket sales and assist in other areas.” Zeigler noted tickets so far have been available “only in private sales through the schools for upwards of $1,000 each.” Sterk said that the temporary stadium on the Midway will now “seat about 5,000 instead of 4,000, and that 2,900 would go on sale to the general public beginning next week.” He added that he “expected prices to be $500 for sidelines and $150-$175 for ends.” Sterk: “We’re, no pun intended, full steam ahead. We just needed to figure out how to get it all done” (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 10/6).
