In Minneapolis, John Bream notes a Twins spokesperson yesterday confirmed that the team has been “negotiating with” Paul McCartney's agents for the musician to play at Target Field on Sept. 1. It would be the “first concert at the year-old stadium,” and McCartney will have played “in all three Twins stadiums.” As part of his On The Run Tour, he currently has concerts scheduled for July 15-16 at Yankee Stadium, July 24 at Comerica Field, July 31 at Wrigley Field and Aug. 4 at Great American Ball Park. The Twins “aren't planning to book many big music events” at their ballpark (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 6/14). In Cincinnati, Lori Kurtzman notes tickets for McCartney’s concert at Great American Ball Park go on sale to the public Friday, but Reds season-ticket holders and corporate partners “will be able to buy tickets starting” tomorrow (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 6/14).
OUT OF THE GATES: NYRA President & CEO Charles Hayward said that Belmont Park officials last Thursday made a presentation to the Breeders’ Cup BOD “to be the host site of the organization’s year-end event as early as 2012.” DAILY RACING FORM’s Matt Hegarty noted the BOD “has not yet named a host site for the 2012 event.” The organization “is believed to be considering naming the same host site for both the 2012 and 2013 events.” Hayward on Saturday said that he “expected Breeders’ Cup to make a decision on the host site within the next month” (DRF.com, 6/11).
FROM DOWNTOWN: In Sacramento, Lillis & Bizjak note Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson yesterday named a task force of elected, labor and business leaders who "will explore how to finance" a new downtown arena. The group “will hold its first public meeting on Thursday, during which it will discuss ways that public and private finances can be combined for a project.” While the funding method for a new arena “hasn't been determined, city officials are convinced downtown is the right spot to build it.” But the proposed arena “lacks a substantial parking structure, and planners are counting on 20 percent of event-goers to take light rail.” Those who drove “would likely need to park their cars at existing downtown garages at least a few blocks away from the arena” (SACRAMENTO BEE, 6/14).
OWNING THEIR HOME: Dallas CFO Jeanne Chipperfield said that American Airlines Center “should be completely paid off and owned lock, stock and barrel by the city before summer’s end.” In Dallas, Rudolph Bush noted the Dallas City Council will “vote June 22 to retire $10.45 million in remaining bonds” (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 6/14).
