In Minneapolis, Jay Weiner writes an open letter to
Vikings Owner Red McCombs offering advice on pursuing a new
publicly-funded stadium: "Please, as you crank up the volume
on the Vikings stadium debate, address specifics. Please
don't insult the intelligence of Minnesota's public and
sports fans. We've seen it all, Red" (STAR TRIBUNE, 5/10).
Meanwhile, fallout continued from the departure of Vikings
VP/Football Ops Jeff Diamond, and in Houston, John McClain
called McCombs' action in Diamond's exit "a foolish decision
at such a crucial time to build support and good will with
the media and fans" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 5/8). One day after
Diamond left, the team "fired" his secretary and 32-year
franchise employee Roz Sorenson. In St. Paul, Bob Sansevere
wrote that McCombs "might be a competent businessman, but he
sure isn't a compassionate one" (PIONEER PRESS, 5/9).
OTHER NOTES: NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue made his
"pitch" for Patriots stadium luxury seat sales at Citizens
Bank's Boston office on Friday (BOSTON HERALD, 5/8).
