In Spain, Toni Frieros reported La Liga club FC Barcelona wants a naming-rights deal for Camp Nou to "become a reality as soon as possible." The idea is for the search for this strategic partner "to begin in December." Barcelona has chosen Van Wagner Sports & Entertainment as a partner. VWSE also advised EPL club Arsenal. Barcelona is hoping to "have a sponsor" before a shareholders meeting in Oct. '16, when it hopes a deal could be approved (SPORT.es, 11/30).
MORE CHEDDAR: In Green Bay, Richard Ryman reports Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker yesterday "signed legislation authorizing the return of the extra sales tax dollars" to Brown County, which is home to Lambeau Field. The sales tax "ended Sept. 30, but money distributed to the Green Bay/Brown County Professional Football Stadium District was more than was needed to fulfill the tax's obligations." The 0.5% Brown County-only tax paid for the $295M renovation of Lambeau Field in '03 and "for a fund for operations and maintenance through" '31. Three-fourths of the more than $17M in excess revenue "will be returned to Brown County's 24 municipalities apportioned population" (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 12/1).
THE END IS IN SIGHT: Troy AD Jeremy McClain yesterday said that fans should look for the school to "finalize plans for their long-dreamt north end zone expansion project" at Veterans Memorial Coliseum and to "formally break ground in the spring." He said, "We are getting close. If you go out there right now, you'll see dirt moved around. ... The process has started.” In Alabama, A. Stacy Long notes school officials "expect the project to cost" $17-20M, with "projected completion" by the '17 opener (MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER, 12/1).
