In Chicago, Fred Mitchell reports construction is "set to begin next week on Draft Town" for this year's NFL Draft, which will be the "size of 15 football fields." An "arched structure will be built on Congress Plaza to house Selection Square, where team tables will be and from where teams will call in their picks." Beyond a bridge will be "another arched structure where ESPN and the NFL Network will be set up." Fans will "have the opportunity to get their picture taken" with the Lombardi Trophy "in a Super Bowl museum." All of the Super Bowl rings will "be on display, as well as significant Bears memorabilia" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 4/15).
NAME GAME: AEG VP/Communications Michael Roth said that the company is "talking with several high-profile international brands for the naming rights to the arena being built behind New York-New York" near the Las Vegas Strip. In Las Vegas, Alan Snel notes a company with an int'l profile "would be a good fit for the MGM-AEG arena because of the millions of foreign visitors to Las Vegas each year." Meanwhile, UNLV officials also are "hunting for a naming rights partner for its three-facility complex of Thomas & Mack Center, Cox Pavilion and Mendenhall Center" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 4/15).
ON THE ROAD AGAIN: Braves Exec VP/Business Operations Mike Plant said that he "encourages business owners and residents" in Cobb County to "'think outside the box' and look into new transportation methods" to get to SunTrust Park. Plant said that the plan "where people can park" near the ballpark, spread out over 40 acres of property the club purchased, "will be revealed" in Q4 this year or in Q1 of '16. Plant: "The solutions that we have are going to make this so much easier than the solution we have at Turner Field now" (MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL, 4/15).
CLOSE, BUT NO CIGAR: In Ontario, Daniel Nolan reports Tim Hortons Field, the new home of the CFL Hamilton Tiger-Cats, had a "crucial inspection" on Monday to see if it is "ready to receive an occupancy permit" from the city. Hamilton Chief Building Service Dir Ed VanderWindt said that the stadium "is almost ready to go." He added that "it might take another week" to finish. The stadium has been "plagued by chronic delays since it was originally set to be completed 10 months ago." The city "had to cancel 15 events planned for the stadium this month" (HAMILTON SPECTATOR, 4/15).
