Allegheny County and Pittsburgh officials are "studying
the possibility of selling bits and pieces of new football
and baseball stadiums as a way of increasing private
investment in the projects," according to Belko & Barnes of
the Pittsburgh POST-GAZETTE. Private investors who owned
stadium assets like "seating, scoreboards, or other
equipment," could "reap tax benefits" by writing off the
"cost of depreciation" on such equipment. The plan was
discussed last week and may be announced this week by city
officials as they work on a $777M "so-called Plan B for
financing the new stadiums" and expanding the city's
convention center. In related news, Allegheny County's
Department of Economic Development has hired IL-based
stadium consultant Marc Ganis, who heads SportsCorp Ltd.,
for advice on the financing issues (POST-GAZETTE, 3/6).
DEALMAKER: In San Jose, Renee Koury profiled Ganis, who
"created" the Raiders seat-license plan. NFL
VP/Communications Greg Aiello, on Ganis: "He's got ideas and
expertise. He seems to get things done. He's a personable
guy. And he's a wheeler-dealer" (S.J. MERCURY NEWS, 3/8).
