In Houston, David Barron cited a Sprint spokesperson as saying that construction is "under way to upgrade NRG Stadium’s distributed antenna system currently shared by all cellular providers." The NFL and Texans fans have been "critical of cellular phone service" in the stadium. Cell carriers said that the DAS improvements "should improve service" (CHRON.com, 12/4).
MATCHING THE OFFER: The Univ. of Louisville announced Monday that supporters have matched a $3M gift "given by Thornton's Inc." to construct the proposed Thorntons Academic Center of Excellence at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. In Louisville, Marty Finley noted the project "is now fully funded." The center will "house all academic functions for the university's athletics department." The 40,000-square-foot facility "will have tutorial space, laboratories, and offices and classrooms to serve more than 750 student-athletes across the university's 23 sports" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 12/1).
REBELS WITH A CAUSE: In Las Vegas, Francis McCabe reported the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents' finance and business committee "voted to recommend the $1 facility fee to support" UNLV’s "ongoing improvements to the aging" Thomas & Mack Center. The fee "will be added to all tickets for Thomas & Mack events starting in July to help fund" the $70M "rehabilitation of the 31-year-old arena." UNLV Senior VP/Finance & Business Gerry Bomotti said that construction on the arena "is underway." The committee "also approved refinancing some of the center’s existing debt" for another $13M (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 12/5).
