In Minneapolis, Michael Rand notes the T'Wolves and WNBA Lynx are both just months away from going from what T'Wolves CMO Ted Johnson called “pretty outdated facilities to the gold standard.” Johnson yesterday "led a tour ... of the new practice facility the two teams will share." The organization has put $25M into the privately funded project, "a mere skyway away from Target Center, which is slated" for a $99M renovation of its own. Johnson said that the Lynx will be the "first WNBA team to have their own dedicated training facility." Rand notes the space will also "hold the teams’ business offices" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 1/21).
BANKERS' HOURS: Florida economic development officials said that they are working with the Jaguars to "get the team’s application for $30 million in state funding over the next three decades in the right shape for a full review." In Jacksonville, Tia Mitchell reported the team, which "hopes to use the money for more renovations to EverBank Field, is among four entities in the state competing for state money set aside to help build or improve sports facilities" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 1/17).
NORTHERN LIGHTS: The Mariners yesterday announced that they are partnering with Washington-based Planled to make Safeco Field the first MLB facility to illuminate the playing field with LED lights. The new lighting system will be unveiled at the 17th annual Mariners FanFest at the ballpark January 24-25. The LED conversion will reduce energy consumption for field lighting by 60-70%. In addition to energy efficiency, the LED lamps last over 100,000 hours, or more than 30 years (Mariners).
