In Chicago, Danny Ecker noted the days of Cubs fans "eating at the Taco Bell across from Wrigley Field are numbered." In one of two "newly proposed additions to the rapidly changing landscape around the ballpark, a developer that recently bought the site of the Wrigleyville fast-food staple unveiled plans for a three-story retail and restaurant complex on the property." The proposal has "nearly 40,000 square feet of retail space, including a 7,300-square-foot rooftop area and a patio along Addison Street" (CHICAGOBUSINESS.com, 8/2).
MICKEY'S A GAMER: FORBES' Christian Sylt reported Disney is "considering entering" esports by "hosting video games championships" at its ESPN World Wide of Sports Complex in Florida. Disney VP/Sports Faron Kelley said, "We are trying to keep up with what sports are breaking and how we can be involved in them." In January '18, the Wide World of Sports will "throw the doors open to a new 8,000-seat 300,000 square feet multi-purpose indoor stadium which is more than four times bigger than its current flagship" (FORBES.com, 8/2).
PARK PLACE: In Las Vegas, Michael Scott Davidson notes providing "adequate transportation infrastructure for Las Vegas’ impending NFL stadium was a chief concern for members of local town advisory boards" who convened last night. Representatives of the Raiders, Clark County and the towns "met at the county government center to discuss" the proposed $1.9B, 65,000-seat domed stadium. To comply with county code, the stadium will "need to build or find close to 14,000 off-site parking spaces." Those will need to be "accompanied by adequate methods of ferrying hordes of ticket holders from those sites to the stadium, which will have parking for only about 2,400 personal vehicles" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 8/3).
NATURAL FIT: In Virginia, Ed Miller reports UFC for the first time will "bring a show" to Norfolk on Nov. 11 at the Constant Center as part of the "UFC Fight Night" series. Spectra Venue Management GM Mike Fryling, whose company runs the Constant Center, and UFC PR Dir Dave Lockett said that the area's "large military presence made it a natural for an event timed to coincide with Veterans Day" (Norfolk VIRGINIAN-PILOT, 8/3).
