In Tampa, Ashley Gurbal Kritzer reports crews are "working to wrap up" the nearly $25M Amalie Arena renovation, which includes a "completely rebuilt club level concourse and the addition of 156 loge seats on the north end of the arena." Lightning Exec VP/Marketing & Communications Bill Wickett said that the loge seating, sold in lots of four, six or eight tickets, "is all inclusive, and includes every event at the arena." Wickett added that the loge seating "sold out over the spring and summer ... without any kind of formal marketing campaign" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 9/9).
UNITED FRONT: In Minneapolis, Kevin Duchschere reports the Ramsey County Board yesterday joined the city of St. Paul in "supporting a property tax exemption for a 10-acre Midway area tract," should an MLS stadium "be built there with private funds." The board approved, on a 5-2 vote, "a resolution supporting" an MLS stadium. Last week, sources said that the owners of USL club Minnesota United FC "had chosen the site as their preferred location for their 18,500-seat stadium and forwarded it to the MLS for approval." An announcement is expected "perhaps as soon as this week" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 9/9).
CALIFORNIA LOVE: In Sacramento, Ailene Voisin wrote the Giants' AT&T Park "remains the jewel" of MLB ballparks, but the Padres' Petco Park "is a terrific and uniquely appealing venue." Petco has an "urban feel, though fans in the north grandstands are afforded views of San Diego Bay." It is "hard to believe the facility is 11 years old" (SACBEE.com, 9/8).
