Facility Notes
In Calgary, Howard Berger wrote the "novelty of the [Prudential Center] appears to have worn off after less than a week.” The Devils' home debut against the Senators on October 27 sold out, but Lightning-Devils on October 31 had an announced attendance of “just more than 13,000.” Witnesses said that “no more than 8,000 were actually on hand.” Friday’s announced attendance for Maple Leafs-Devils was 14,523, but that figure “was wildly inflated” (CALGARY HERALD, 11/3). Meanwhile, UFC 78 will take place at the Prudential Center on November 17 (TORONTO SUN, 11/3).
UNITED FRONT: In DC, David Nakamura reported seven companies submitted proposals to develop a 110-acre parcel of land along the Anacostia River before Friday's deadline, “but none is from DC United, which has lobbied to build a stadium on the site.” A DC official said that two of the firms “proposed including a soccer stadium,” but both “made the facility optional.” United co-Owner Victor MacFarlane “had been negotiating informally with the city” to build a stadium, but Mayor Adrian Fenty “pulled out of the talks in the summer and launched the competitive bidding process” (WASHINGTON POST, 11/3).
OH GOODY! In N.Y., Stasi & Kelly reported in a move “believed to be the first of its kind in the NBA,” visiting players to the Izod Center will be given "an assortment of Izod apparel.” After playing the Nets last week, Bulls players received an Izod polo shirt, sweater, hat, jacket, sports shirt and fleece top. Musical performers at the venue “will get the same type of goody bag” (N.Y. POST, 11/4).
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