Facility Notes
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Univ. of Minnesota Officials Say TCF Bank
Stadium Can Be Expanded For Vikings |
In Minneapolis, Sid Hartman notes former Minnesota Senate majority leader and current Univ. of Minnesota Regent Dean Johnson "can't see any reason why [TCF Bank Stadium] couldn't be expanded to make a new home to share with the Vikings." Univ. of Minnesota President Bob Bruininks said of a shared stadium, "We'd have to actually go through some environmental review process, but I strongly favor that. I think it's the right thing to do. ... It's not a problem to expand the seating -- we've actually built this stadium so that we can expand it very easily at a reasonable price to 80,000 seats. So, we can expand it 30,000, nearly 30,000 seats, without any difficulty." Meanwhile, sources said that the deal giving Target naming rights to the new Twins ballpark "will cost $6[M] a year" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 10/16).
IDLE THREAT? In Charlotte, Davie Hinshaw reports SMI Chair & CEO Bruton Smith "has not threatened to move a Cup race from Lowe's Motor Speedway, but there have been murmurings he could play that chip if his ongoing dispute" with Concord, North Carolina, and Cabarrus County officials over the incentives deal for the track "gets uglier." Smith this week, in response to reports he "might make such a threat," said, "I have not said that." When asked if "moving a race from here is something he might consider," Smith would not comment (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 10/16).
NOTES: In S.F., Dan Giesin reports Saturday's Icer Air show is moving out of AT&T Park "and into the parking lot on the other side of McCovey Cove." The event, which has "evolved into an action-sports showcase," features "freestyle motocross and skateboard and BMX park events" in addition to the ski/snowboard jump that had been held at the ballpark (S.F. CHRONICLE, 10/16)....A Dodgers source said that the dugout runway pipe burst after Game Three of the Dodgers-Cubs NLDS by one of the Cubs "has cost an estimated $4,000." As requested, the bill "has been sent to the Cubs" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 10/16).
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