In Miami, David Smiley reports negotiations to build an MLS stadium across from Marlins Park "can officially commence after city of Miami commissioners voted Thursday to authorize talks between Miami officials and Miami Beckham United." Commissioners "unanimously endorsed discussions to build a privately funded stadium on a site in Little Havana comprised mostly of city land." The vote "paves the way for administrators to delve into details about what will be built, how the city will be compensated for its property, and whether surrounding commercial and residential properties will have to be purchased to compile enough land to build a professional soccer stadium." It also gives David Beckham’s team "some momentum heading into next week, when they’re expected to meet" with the MLS BOG during the league’s all star week in Denver (MIAMI HERALD, 7/24).
SHOWING THEIR METAL: In Ottawa, Julienne Bay reported hockey fans and other visitors to Canadian Tire Centre "can expect to walk through metal detectors similar to those used at airports this fall." Under a new security policy announced Tuesday, visitors "will no longer be able to exit and re-enter the building with the same ticket unless it's an emergency." Senators President Cyril Leeder said that the revised policy, which takes effect Sept. 20, "is consistent other major professional sporting venues." The use of magnetometers "is a mandatory requirement of the NHL's new security policy." Pat-downs or hand-held wand scans "will only be used in unique circumstances" (OTTAWA SUN, 7/22).
SIGN OF THE TIMES: In Daytona Beach, Godwin Kelly reports Daytona Int'l Speedway's 57-foot-tall, 48-foot-wide welcome sign "came crashing down" on Thursday, when it "was quickly removed by a crew from Barton Malow," the primary contractor for the $400M Daytona Rising venture. The new sign "will go up sometime in the fall, but the Speedway would not elaborate on details or placement area of the new sign structure" (Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL, 7/24).
PITCH NOT PERFECT: In K.C., Sam McDowell reported Sporting Park's pitch "was left with a bevy of divots" after Sporting KC’s match with the Dynamo on Tuesday night, and its "lack of solid footing drew the criticism of several players." SKC coach Peter Vermes: "The field conditions were not good. The guys were planting their foot, and the turf was going out. That was a real issue" (K.C. STAR, 7/23).
