"Concerned about the intense political maneuvering over
whether -- and where -- to build a new stadium" for the
Yankees, team Owner George Steinbrenner will not make a
decision about the ball club's future home until after the
baseball season ends, according to Barry & Bagli of the N.Y.
TIMES. In addition, Steinbrenner's advisors say that he
"has been talking to" former NY Gov. Mario Cuomo about
joining an advisory panel "to help him determine his next
step." Steinbrenner is also said to be "courting" Coopers &
Lybrand and HOK Sports Facilities Group. Barry & Bagli:
"Executives close to Steinbrenner said that while the
Yankees organization appreciated the efforts of [NYC Mayor
Rudy] Giuliani to keep the team in New York City, it had
become concerned with the furor surrounding the mayor's
proposal that city tax money be used to help finance a new
stadium." Those close to the negotiations said that
Steinbrenner "wanted to remove the Yankees entirely from the
politically charged atmosphere" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/1).
BOSSMAN COMETH? In NJ, Mike Kelly wrote that friends
say that while Steinbrenner is "inclined to move his team"
to a new stadium in NJ, "he is acutely aware of what such a
move would do to his place in baseball history." Kelly
added that over 60% of Yankee fans now come from NJ and
Rockland and Westchester, NY, Counties (RECORD, 4/30).
