In London, Joe Ridge noted EPL club West Ham United has "received a boost" in its bid to move into London's Olympic Stadium "after the NFL's proposal to become anchor tenants was thrown out." The NFL was "willing to share the stadium with other sports and events" but was told that it "could not have the exclusive access to the venue" from September to January, which the league felt it "required to prepare and host consecutive games." London Mayor Boris Johnson "confirmed rumours that the stadium will not be re-opened until 2016." Johnson yesterday said that it "was 'highly unlikely' that the stadium would be converted and ready for use again before the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio" (London DAILY MAIL, 11/14). Also in London, Ashling O'Connor notes U.K. Athletics Chair Ed Warner "warned yesterday that the delay in reopening the Olympic Stadium was becoming a farce and urged" Johnson to "make a swift decision on its future use" (LONDON TIMES, 11/15).
GRIDIRON GRIDLOCK: In Pasadena, Brian Charles cited an Environmental Impact Report as saying that Pasadena residents "opposed to temporary use of the Rose Bowl by the NFL expressed worries about traffic, booze and rowdy fans." In letters written in response to the EIR, "critics questioned how the Rose Bowl Operating Co. and Pasadena could measure the impact of an NFL team given the differences between the respective fan bases of professional and college football teams." Pasadena City Manager Michael Beck on Tuesday "defended the environmental report." He said that before a franchise "finds its way to the Rose Bowl, the city and the team would have a long discussion about 'fan behavior expectations'" (PASADENA STAR NEWS, 11/14).
WHO WILL BE THE BOSS? In Hartford, Kenneth Gosselin noted "at least five proposals are expected for managing" the XL Center and Rentschler Field. The entities are: AEG Management CT; The Capital Region Sports and Entertainment Group; Global Spectrum; Harbor Yard Sports & Entertainment; and SMG Worldwide. The bids "are due Dec. 17" (HARTFORD COURANT, 11/14).
GETTING HIS PRIORITIES STRAIGHT: In N.Y., Sally Goldenberg noted N.Y. Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration has "carefully crafted a special list of high-profile priority projects to fast-track before Bloomberg’s third term ends in 14 months." Those projects include "a Major League Soccer stadium in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park" and a USTA "expansion of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center." One high-ranking city official said that all other "land-use proposals are getting completely ignored because the administration will not take on anything outside of its priorities" (N.Y. POST, 11/13).
