The AP's David Porter reported the Federal Aviation Administration during Super Bowl XLVIII will "create a temporary flight restriction over MetLife Stadium." The FAA "didn't offer details on that this week, but judging by previous Super Bowls, it figures to include a no-fly zone restricting all private, non-commercial aircraft from flying within several miles of the stadium beginning a few hours before the game and lasting for a few hours after." Scheduled commercial flights "haven't been disrupted during previous Super Bowls and likely wouldn't be this time." Unlike Newark Liberty Airport, Teterboro Airport "handles mostly private jets and could be the most affected, both by the increased traffic leading up to the game and the restrictions after the game that could create a bottleneck of flights getting out of town" (AP, 8/24).
JERSEY BOYS: In Newark, Thomas Zambito reported, "Angry contractors, upset to find themselves on the hook for millions laid out for services essential to the Prudential Center’s day-to-day operations, turned to the courts to get the Devils to pay up." Pritchard Sports and Entertainment, which cleans Prudential Center "got dragged into litigation, as did the team’s primary food and beverage provider." Centerplate said that the Devils "'fabricated' accounting disputes to avoid paying its bills" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 8/26).
ON THIN ICE: In Toronto, Simon Kent noted the fate of the controversial 20,000-seat, $325M arena proposed for Markham "may now be just a few weeks away" with a council vote. GTA Sports and Entertainment Chair & CEO Graeme Roustan said the GTA Centre is "not just about the hockey possibilities, it’s about a range of entertainment options." Supporters claim that the center "can be financially viable without a professional hockey league tenant" (TORONTO SUN, 8/21). Also in Toronto, Steve Simmons wrote, "Sure is sounding like it’s all over for a Markham Arena and by extension the supposed dream of a second Toronto NHL team. Still think, Toronto could and should have two NHL teams, and you can play both of them out of the Air Canada Centre" (TORONTOSUN.com, 8/24).
SUITE LIFE: In Dallas, Eddie Sefko reported the Mavericks are "creating new 'theater suites' on one end of the suite level at American Airlines Center." Team Owner Mark Cuban said that it is an "attempt to give smaller parties the suite treatment." He said, "Rather than seating 12 or 24, these will sit four or eight" (DALLASNEWS.com, 8/22).
