SUITE-NESS: In Baltimore, Jon Morgan reports that six
Ravens players "are considering or have leased suites" at
the team's new stadium, either by themselves or in
combination with others. The suites would be used by the
players' families and friends during games. Orioles 3B Cal
Ripken also has a suite. Ravens VP/Sales & Marketing David
Cope said that he was "surprised" to find a ready market
among the players. Some players have businesses that allow
them to take off suite expenses on taxes. Ripken's suite is
leased to his corporation, and Ravens WR Michael Jackson has
a recording company in town (Baltimore SUN, 8/19).
NOTES: NFL Giants co-Owner Robert Tisch "plans to send
his plan for a new arena at the Meadowlands for the Nets and
Devils" to NJ Gov. Christie Whitman next month. Tisch said
that Continental Airlines Arena is not "fair to the two
teams playing there" (AP/Bergen RECORD, 8/18)....Yankees
Owner George Steinbrenner, on if the team hits 3 million in
attendance this season: "I want to make this very clear. I
never said I would stay [at Yankees Stadium] if we made 3
million. What I have always said is that if we make 3
million, I would sit down and talk to [Bronx Borough
President Fernando Ferrer]" (N.Y. POST, 8/19)....IMG "is
planning to spend up to" $30M "to help build the largest
tennis facility in the world" near Indian Wells, CA. The
$60M entertainment and tennis center, to be built in
conjunction with a group headed by Indian Wells Tournament
Dir Charlie Pasarell, would have a seating capacity of up to
35,000 (Daniel Kaplan, SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 8/17).
