In K.C., Kevin Collison reports MLS Sporting KC's owners "want to locate their new interactive software venture in the historic Hanna Rubber Co. building in the Crossroads Arts District of downtown." Sporting Innovations has been formed to "market and continue developing software that allows fans to use smartphones to get more from their stadium experience." Sporting KC CEO Robb Heineman said that the "software developed to enhance the patron experience at new Livestrong Sporting Park in western Wyandotte County had caught the interest of other sports franchises" (K.C. STAR, 9/28).
FINAL OFFER: In London, Paul Kelso reports Mayor Boris Johnson has urged EPL club Tottenham Hotspur to accept a "final offer" of US$26.6M toward its "proposed new stadium development in north London in an apparent attempt to persuade the club into abandoning their legal challenge to the Olympic Stadium." Johnson's statement came after a meeting between his officials and Tottenham Chair Daniel Levy yesterday, and "just four days before inspectors from the International Association of Athletics Federations arrive in London to inspect the capital’s bid" for the '17 World Athletics Championships. The bid "relies entirely on the Olympic Stadium retaining a running track, but Tottenham have been granted a full judicial review of the decision to select West Ham as the preferred bidder." The "legal uncertainty over the fate of the stadium is the major cloud over the bid" (London TELEGRAPH, 9/29).
ACROSS THE BAY: Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn said that the "Channel District" could be a home for the Rays and that "a new stadium could be partly paid for using tax increment financing." But he insisted that he "wanted private sector financing to cover most of the costs." Buckhorn added that "no one has talked to him about building on a specific location," and that he "hadn't been seeking corporate support to raise attendance and involvement with the team." Buckhorn "dodged a reporter's question on whether the team would have enjoyed higher attendance at a Tampa stadium during its surprising bid for the playoffs." Buckhorn: "I don't know the answer to that question. I'm actually amazed that they're not doing better with attendance" (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 9/29).
STAYING HOME? On Long Island, Randi Marshall reports Nassau County Exec Edward Mangano "has begun to push for state funds to assist in the development of the 77 acres surrounding Nassau Coliseum." Mangano said that a "combination of state funds and private financing could be the answer to keeping the Islanders in Nassau County and creating a 'sports-entertainment destination.'" Mangano said yesterday that "to date, he had not received any full privately financed offers for the site" (NEWSDAY, 9/29).
ALL DRIED UP: Despite "a slight delay in construction just days before B.C. Place Stadium is set to open, officials now say that it will be dry inside on Day 1." Workers were called off from "welding the remaining six panels on the roof on Monday due to high winds." B.C. Pavilion Corp. President Warren Buckley said that he is "confident that the stadium will 'be in good shape'" by tomorrow, when the CFL B.C. Lions host the Edmonton Eskimos (Vancouver PROVINCE, 9/29).
