League Championship side Birmingham City Manager Gary Rowett "is open-minded about the prospect of Birmingham City benefitting from Brum's bid for the 2026 Commonwealth Games," according to Brian Dick of the BIRMINGHAM MAIL. The local authority will look at "the cost and feasibility of building a new stadium" as a centerpiece for the bid. And it "has been mooted that Blues could be the host club for a new arena." Rowett gave a "relatively positive response to the suggestion -- but was also mindful of what clubs lose when they move grounds." He said, "Like most people and you said, 'Would you be positive about a brand new stadium with great facilities maybe in a more accessible location for fans?' Then most people would be enthused with that. But I could also give you quite a few examples, I probably won't name names, clubs have gone down a new route and we had an issue at Derby when I was first there. ... Then you go to some of these new places and the challenge then is to recreate that same type of atmosphere and same closeness to the fans." A "lower cost option to a new purpose built stadium remains an upgrade of the Alexander Stadium at Perry Barr" (BIRMINGHAM MAIL, 10/17).
