In N.Y., Christian Red cites a source as saying a report that NYC FC is considering relocating to Columbia Univ.’s athletic complex in northern Manhattan is "beyond premature." The source added that the team "has had only one preliminary meeting with Columbia officials about the site." The source: "At the end of the day, there’s really nothing going on. There’s nothing to discuss because it's not even at the embryonic stage" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/30).
CHIPPING IN: In Green Bay, Richard Ryman reports the Packers will get $11.2M from the Green Bay/Brown County Professional Football Stadium District "to help pay for operations and maintenance expenses last year at Lambeau Field." The team requested $13.1M from the stadium district, but the amount the district "can provide annually for operations and maintenance is capped." Stadium District Exec Dir Patrick Webb said that "the total cost of operations and maintenance for the past fiscal year, which ended March 31," was $27M (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 4/30).
NORTHERN LIGHTS: In Winnipeg, David Larkins reported plans for the proposed True North Square downtown development "are back on track following a meeting with a couple of key players." Mayor Brian Bowman on Tuesday said that he met with True North Sports & Entertainment CEO Mark Chipman, whose group owns the NHL Jets, and Winnipeg-based developer CentreVenture BOD Chair Curt Vossen regarding the $400M mixed-use project that "hit a rough patch in January." Bowman: "One of the big things that I wanted to accomplish was just to strengthen our relationships" (WINNIPEG SUN, 4/29).
MARK THE SPOT: Georgia AD Greg McGarity and football coach Mark Richt on Tuesday confirmed that demolishing the Hoke Smith Annex in order to build an indoor practice facility for football in its place "is no longer the plan." In Atlanta, Chip Towers noted the "massive structure" will instead be built "right behind the Butts-Mehre Building, likely in the area of the existing natural grass practice fields." That "has always been the preferred location for Richt" (AJC.com, 4/29).
