In DC, Liz Farmer noted Loudoun County, Va., “is striking back in a bid to keep the Redskins in Ashburn after officials in the District and Prince George's County have said they want to steal the teams headquarters facility away.” The “carrot being dangled before owner Dan Snyder after months of silence is in the form of a potential Redskins Hall of Fame, an idea that was floated in Loudoun in 2008 but narrowly rejected by that board of supervisors.” Now, Broad Run District Supervisor Shawn Williams is “reaching out to Snyder and dropping hints that a hall of fame facility could be in the team's future -- if, of course, it stays in Loudoun County” (Washington EXAMINER, 1/17)
WE WANT YOU: In London, Charles Sale wrote Wembley Stadium officials are “concerned enough about the renewal of their corporate seating packages, which are crucial to the financial long-term future of the national stadium, to be targeting the lucrative Russian market.” IMG, which sells the seats for Wembley, “had hospitality brochures on display and sales personnel busy attempting to attract new clients at a gala dinner to celebrate the Russian Old New Year for Russia’s sports business elite.” Club Wembley was “one of the sponsors” at the event (London DAILY MAIL, 1/16).
CALIFORNIA DREAMIN': In L.A., Deborah Crowe reported the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce is “urging managers of the Rose Bowl to consider offering its venue as a temporary home if Los Angeles is successful in luring a National Football League team back to the region” (LABUSINESSJOURNAL.com, 1/17)....In Sacramento, Ryan Lillis writes MLB Giants CEO Larry Baer has “this message for those trying to build a new downtown sports arena in Sacramento: ‘Don't give up.’” Baer gave the keynote speech yesterday at the Downtown Sacramento Partnership's State of Downtown breakfast at Memorial Auditorium. Baer said, “It can be done, don't give up. You must persevere, you must exercise patience, you must have strong leadership in the private and public sector." He added, “If you can get (an arena) started, there will be a ripple effect, there will be a domino effect” (SACRAMENTO BEE, 1/18).
