The Patriots "found themselves in hot water" on Sunday after fans "complained that they were asked to pay $4.50 for tap water at Gillette Stadium," according to Sophia Eppolito of the BOSTON GLOBE. Workers at Gillette Stadium had "prepared for [a] hot September day -- temperatures hit 86 degrees in Foxborough -- by doubling their inventory of water bottles." However, the demand "far exceeded what they were able to hold in their concession stands and was almost four times the inventory they would have had for an average game." As different concession stands "ran out of water bottles throughout the course of the day, fans asked for cups of tap water instead." Concessionaires resorted to "selling tap water in soda cups for $4.50." Patriots VP/Media Relations Stacey James said, "That should not have happened. It is the first time that I have ever heard that complaint here. We are looking into the matter to ensure that it doesn’t happen again" (BOSTONGLOBE.com, 9/25).
TAKING OFF: In Boston, Catherine Carlock noted a new addition in the uppermost levels of Gillette Stadium was the "topic of conversation for nearly [a] third of the stadium's attendees." The Patriots and JetBlue Airways partnered to "create four JetBlue Landings at the 300 level of the stadium in Foxborough." The four spaces "feature large covered open spaces, wind blockage structures, and upgraded food and beverage offerings with a farm-to-table concept and local craft beers." Patriots COO Jim Nolan said that JetBlue Landings were a "mutual vision between the Patriots and JetBlue" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 9/24).
