In Miami, Barry Jackson reports under Sun Life Stadium's reconfigurations, 2,225 seats "will be situated between 60 and 88 feet from the field." Last year, there were none within 88 feet. This "could help in creating a better home-field advantage" for the Dolphins and the Univ. of Miami. Capacity has dropped from 76,018 to 65,326 (MIAMI HERALD, 8/26).
PICK UP THE PACE: In Indianapolis, Dana Hunsinger Benbow notes the Pacers' new practice facility will replace the one at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, which consists of "one cramped court" and "virtually nothing else." NBAers "spend the majority of their time at the place where they practice and training is typically year-round." Pacers Sports & Entertainment Senior VP/Corporate, Community & PR Bill Benner said the team's new facility "will let the Pacers be the best it can be in a really competitive market" for free agents (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 8/26).
FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN: The NATIONAL POST's Scott Stinson writes it "is now Calgary’s turn to try to resist losing its collective mind" over the Flames' CalgaryNEXT development, "which is more or less what most municipalities do when approached with a stadium proposal wrapped in the colours of the hometown team(s)." The proposal "neatly muddies the waters of the typical stadium-funding shakedown." In Calgary’s case, "perhaps because there is zero threat of the NHL or CFL team leaving, the requirement of public money isn’t just for new homes for the Flames and Stamps, it’s for urban renewal" (NATIONAL POST, 8/26).
