San Jose-based KNTV-NBC's Stock, Bott & Carroll cited FAA emails as showing that air-traffic controllers, pilots and "even FAA officials were more concerned about safety issues surrounding bright lights at Levi’s and Avaya sports stadiums than previously acknowledged." Levi’s Stadium’s "high intensity lights and building sized scoreboard were blinding and distracting pilots flying nearby." Just a few miles away, Avaya Stadium’s "two-sided electronic scoreboard/advertising billboard blinded and distracted pilots while taxiing on taxiway Y and turning onto ramps C and B to the runway." According to the emails, nearly 50 different pilots "have complained about the safety issues associated with the lights at both stadiums" (NBCBAYAREA.com, 4/28).
BETTER INGREDIENTS: Univ. of Louisville AD Tom Jurich on Thursday said that he would "like to be positioned to begin construction work on the expansion of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium after the completion" of the '16 football season. In Louisville, Steve Jones notes Jurich's comments came after the UL Athletic Association "gave approval to proceed" with the $55M expansion project, and UL is "sending out" RFPs as part of the bidding process. Jurich two weeks ago said that UL "had already raised" about $20M, including "selling all of the pricey, posh field-level suites that are a key aspect of the project" (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 4/29).
SQUEEZE PLAY: In Orlando, Scott Maxwell addresses the Citrus Bowl being renamed Camping World Stadium, writing some fans "will gripe about the name ... because Camping World sounds more like a vacation destination for Chevy Chase and the Griswold family." Maxwell: "I don't really mind. Call it Formula 409 Field or Preparation H Palace for all I care." However, he argues taxpayers "deserve to know how much Camping World paid" to name the stadium, as they "funded it, built it and renovated it" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 4/29).
