The Meadowlands Area YMCA is "on its way to opening a permanent home after 94 years without one, thanks in part to a $250,000 donation" by NFL Giants President & CEO JOHN MARA, according to John Brennan of the Bergen RECORD. A check was "presented by Mara on Thursday," and the funds will be "used to help build the Mara Family Day Care Center at the site, which will serve 120 children per day." Mara said agreeing to have his family’s name on the center, which will cost $1.1M, was “something we don’t normally do.” But he said that it was "suggested that the title would help with subsequent fundraising" (Bergen RECORD, 7/18). Mara said, "We wanted to do something impactful in our backyard. This is about as close to our backyard as you could possibly get” (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 7/18).
NOT HEDGING HIS BETS: In N.Y., Ebenezer Samuel notes Mara on Thursday "reiterated his opposition to New Jersey’s most recent attempts to legalize state-sanctioned sports betting." Mara said, “Certainly we’re opposed to it, but let’s wait and see what happens. They’re trying all these different ways to circumvent the law.” He added, "If it’s helpful for the state -- and I have questions about whether it is -- but if it’s helpful for the state, I don’t really have a problem with it" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/18).
