In Cleveland, Andrew Tobias notes the Indians yesterday "led reporters on a behind-the-scenes tour of Progressive Field to show some of the less sexy stuff that the team wants taxpayers, via the sin tax, to pay to fix." The tour included "a sewage control closet, where reporters and photographers gawked at aging sump pumps, and a heating and cooling room, where team officials told stories about replacing a 20-year-old, 900-gallon hot water tank." Indians VP/Ballpark Operations Jim Folk said that the facility needs "basic fixes necessary to keep the building functional" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 2/26).
ARGOS, OR NOT? Toronto City Council member Mark Grimes yesterday said a deal between the city and MLSE to expand BMO Field is "getting close." He added, "In the next couple weeks we should know." Grimes hopes that a deal "could lead to the field becoming the new home" for the CFL Argonauts. In Toronto, Don Peat notes the expansion "would add around 10,000 seats to the more than 20,000-seat stadium, extend the length of the field and add a partial roof" (TORONTO SUN, 2/26).
FRESH SQUEEZED: In Orlando, Mark Schlueb noted the city on Monday "approved revenue-sharing deals" for the Citrus Bowl and the new stadium for USL Pro club Orlando City SC, which is set to join MLS in '15. Separate agreements "lay out how much the primary tenants of the city-owned facilities" will pay. The city in exchange "gave up revenue from advertising, naming rights and a cut of concessions." Orlando City SC "agreed to act as the stadium's developer and cover any cost overruns during construction." The team also is "signing a non-relocation agreement" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 2/25).
AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND: In Milwaukee, Don Walker notes BMO Harris Bradley Center yesterday announced that it "plans to raise its facility ticket fee 25 cents to $1.50 for tickets priced at $12 or less." For tickets priced above $12, the fee "will increase 40 cents to $2." Bradley Center Sports & Entertainment President & CEO Steve Costello said that the increase "is expected to generate an additional $250,000 a year." The fee "will be imposed on tickets purchased" for the Bucks, AHL Admirals and Marquette basketball (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 2/26).
