In Sacramento, Bizjak & Lillis note the number of flashing digital billboards along area freeways "could double as the result of a deal nearing completion" between the city and the NBA Kings that will "allow the Kings to erect six changeable-display signs over the next few years." It is part of a "larger agreement being negotiated between the city and the team's owners" to build the $448M arena in Downtown Plaza. The billboards would be used to "promote the team, the arena and downtown" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 4/15).
VIKING QUEST: Vikings Communications Dir Jeff Anderson said a "hydronic heated field" will replace the turf at the Univ. of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium and will "ensure a safe playing surface” for NFL teams when the Vikings play there in '14 and '15. In Minneapolis, Rochelle Olson notes the $6.6M cost for renovations comes from the $1B "budget for the Multipurpose Stadium being built by the Vikings and the state’s taxpayers" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 4/15).
SUN DEVIL IN THE DETAILS: In Phoenix, Scott Bordow notes yesterday morning signaled the "start of the visual makeover that will transform" Arizona State Univ.'s Sun Devil Stadium. The billboards that "sandwiched the video box were hauled away by crane," and ASU officials said that upper-deck sections scheduled for removal "should be gone by Saturday." Yesterday began the "first phase of the project, which will remove 5,700 seats from the upper deck. The $225M renovation will "continue through" the '17 offseason (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 4/15).
