Cowboys Stadium Opens, Officials Reveal Cost Increase To $1.15B
 |
Nearly 1,500 Local Leaders, Employees And
Guests Attend Cowboys Stadium Opening |
Cowboys Stadium yesterday "opened its doors for the first time," and instead of a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, the team "placed large white panels with the stadium logo on its west end-zone glass doors to look like a ribbon," according to Andrea Ahles of the FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM. Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones and his family, along with Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck, "pulled a lever to open the doors ... symbolically cutting the ribbon," allowing "nearly 1,500 local leaders, Cowboys employees and invited guests" to enter the stadium. During the ceremony, it took "about 5 minutes instead of the previously estimated 18 minutes for the glass doors to open and stack on the sides of the end-zone entrance." Jones said that the end-zone plazas were "designed to create an exciting atmosphere during events," and he announced that fans "would be able to buy tickets to hang out in the plazas and the main concourse platform for Cowboys games starting in the fall" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 5/28). In Dallas, Jeff Mosier reports Cowboys officials yesterday revealed that the stadium cost is up to $1.15B from the previously estimated $1.1B. Cowboys Exec VP, COO & Dir of Player Personnel Stephen Jones said that yesterday's event was a "sign that the overwhelming process is nearly over." But "much work has to be done before" the June 6 George Strait/Reba McEntire concert and before the Cowboys play their first preseason game in August (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/28). Jerry Jones "didn't deny that sales of luxury suites have been slow during the recession," saying that 280 "have been sold, leaving more than 20 to go" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 5/28).
EVERYTHING'S BIGGER IN TEXAS: YAHOO SPORTS' Chris Chase noted the HD video board at Cowboys Stadium, measuring 160-by-72 feet, is "like those in basketball and hockey arenas, only on a much bigger scale." Chase: "That thing is huge. I never thought I'd say this, but the screen actually might be too big. For some in the stadium, it's going to be easier to watch the game on the screen rather than on the field, which sort of defeats the purpose of attending. Still, that board is awesome" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 5/27). Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said of the video board at the stadium, "With those video boards being that big, I think you can look at the replays and find out how they are and whether you should challenge them a lot easier" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 5/28).
|
Related Stories By Company
|
Related Stories By Sport
|
Obama To Appear In PSA With Three NFLers
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
"MNF" Second-Most Viewed Program In '09
November 11, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Top Rank Eyes Cowboys Stadium Card
November 6, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Cracks In Concrete At Yankee Stadium
October 26, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Amway To Sponsor Magic's Practice Jerseys
October 22, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
Bills Owner Prepared To Make Big Changes
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Bears Deny Rift With NBC
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
MSFC Threatens Vikings With Penalties
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Gruden Committed To Improving On "MNF"
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Obama To Appear In PSA With Three NFLers
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
|
