In Tampa, Richard Danielson notes Tropicana Field's Cuesta-Rey Cigar Bar "won’t be back this season." J.C. Newman Cigars had the bar at Tropicana Field since '98, but "learned last month the Rays have different plans for the space." Newman Cigars President Eric Newman said that it is his "understanding the team plans to put in games for family entertainment." Newman said that he has talked with Rays President Matt Silverman "about having a cigar bar" in any new Ybor City ballpark (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 2/28).
GOING GLOBAL: In Chicago, Eric Peterson notes the suburb of Hoffman Estates has recommended "another five-year contract extension" for Global Spectrum to operate Sears Centre Arena. That means Global Spectrum "will continue operating the arena" on behalf of the village through at least '25, with an "option for three more years after that." Hoffman Estates first hired Global Spectrum in late '09 (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 2/28).
CLOSING IN: Mortenson Construction Senior Project Manager Jesse Kemp said that the Bucks' new arena is "84% complete." In Milwaukee, James Nelson noted the Bucks already have "booked a string of shows, starting less than six months from now." But several "key unknowns remain on the business front and chief among them is the naming rights for the facility" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 2/27).
