UFC President Dana White yesterday said that he was "unsure" what the new MGM/AEG arena in Las Vegas will "mean to UFC events at the MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay but that it will be a welcome luxury to have options when other events are in town." White said that the venue will "clear the way" for UFC to "have more major events in the city." White said of AEG, "They're the best at building management around the world. They've seen it all, they've done it all, they've built it all. They're going to knock it out of the park." White said that he hopes the UFC "gets to host the first event in the arena" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 5/6).
NOT EASY BEING GREEN: GOLFCHANNEL.com's Rex Hoggard reported through the combination of a "particularly cold, wet winter, foot traffic and the 'misapplication' of a mysterious product," five of the greens at TPC Sawgrass' Stadium Course were "less than championship-ready a little more than a week before" The Players Championship, which begins Thursday. The "agronomic snafu has prompted the Tour to plan a dramatic makeover of the Stadium course’s greens" after the '15 event (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 5/2).
DIRT CHEAP: In L.A., Steve Dilbeck reports in addition to Dodger Stadium's "regular $15 parking fee at the gate, the $10 parking if purchased in advance and the $35 preferred parking, the Dodgers are offering a pair of $5 lots." Two lots across from each other on Stadium Way next to the L.A. Fire Department facility will "offer $5 parking on a trial basis" during upcoming homestands against the Giants and Marlins. The Dodgers said that it is "about a 15-minute walk from the lots below the Elysian Park gate, and it’s all uphill." The club said that it will "offer a free shuttle for disabled fans" (L.A. TIMES, 5/6).
CARING IS SHARING: In West Palm Beach, Joe Capozzi reports after "clearing one major money hurdle in Tallahassee, Palm Beach County’s efforts to lure more baseball teams for spring training face another big financing test next week." Consultants for the Nationals and Astros are "scheduled to meet with county finance managers next Tuesday to discuss cost details about the teams’ plan to share a spring training complex." Nationals lobbyist Mark Foley said that the teams are "encouraged by changes state legislators made Friday that make it much easier for the county to pay for a facility," which could cost as much as $140M (PALM BEACH POST, 5/6).
