George Mason and EagleBank on Thursday announced a multimillion dollar partnership that includes changing the 10,000-seat Patriot Center to EagleBank Arena. The deal provides a minimum $6.6M commitment by EagleBank over 10 years, with the bank reserving the right to extend the pact up to 20 years for a total of $13.7M (GMU). EagleBank Chair & CEO Ron Paul said that the alliance is “core to his bank’s six-year effort to broaden its reach in the Northern Virginia market.” Paul added that the bank “approached GMU about the partnership” (BIZJOURNALS.com, 5/7). EagleBank title sponsored what is now known as the DC-based Military Bowl from '08-09 (THE DAILY).
MOVIN' ON UP? In Newark, Keith Sargeant cited a study as indicating that there are "economic benefits of Rutgers University's entrance into the Big Ten Conference and recommends that the state university invests" in a potentially $50-100M upgrade to its athletics facilities. State Sen. Raymond Lesniak commissioned the report and "has been a vocal critic of the current state of Rutgers' athletics facilities." He said that the Econsult Solutions-conducted report "was paid for by a group of anonymous donors to the athletics program" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 5/7).
RUNNING DOWN A DREAM: TrackTown USA President Vin Lananna expects that a renovated Hayward Field will have "about 14,000 permanent seats," and approximately 16,000 temporary seats "would be added to meet the IAAF's World Championships specifications" for the '21 World Outdoor Track & Field Championships. He said that the permanent seating "would be built to a 'level to host the NCAA Championships." Lananna added he "would like for Eugene to host the NCAA Championships permanently." Lananna, when asked about an indoor track arena, said that the Hayward renovation "would include 'a warm-up facility' for athletes." He added, "Maybe in the end that will turn into something that can be an indoor facility" (Portland OREGONIAN, 5/7).
LAND USE: In Tampa, Steve Contorno noted Hillsborough (Fla.) County Commissioner Ken Hagan on Wednesday "admonished those salivating at potential uses" for the county land on the site of the Museum of Science & Industry. In the "middle of his cross hairs" was USF, which Hagan "believes covets the location for a long-desired football stadium." Hagan said that the university "shouldn't begin looking for a stadium until it proves its football team can better fill Raymond James Stadium." USF "is in the middle of a feasibility study to assess whether to build a football stadium, on campus or elsewhere" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 5/7).
