In Salt Lake City, Maddie Lee noted the USL Real Monarchs' on Monday played their "first match at Zions Bank Stadium," drawing 4,065 fans. Once fans got into the stadium, which "was built in conjunction with the Zions Bank Real Academy, they were greeted by an intimate viewing experience." The 5,000-seat stadium put them "just steps away from the turf." Monarchs Owner Dell Loy Hansen sat on the east stands and "passed out blue plastic visors" (SLTRIB.com, 5/1).
IN A NEW YORK MINUTE: On Long Island, Jim Baumbach cited an Empire State Development timeline as showing that construction on the Islanders' new arena and surrounding retail project "remains on schedule to start as early as next spring." ESD VP/Real Estate & Development Thomas Conoscenti said that the environmental review process at Belmont, which began this year, is "'working toward completing' a draft environmental impact statement by the end of the year" (NEWSDAY, 5/1).
HEATING UP: A non-disclosure agreement between the city of Phoenix and the Suns regarding plans to renovate Talking Stick Resort Arena is being challenged in court. The lawyer behind the lawsuit against Phoenix -- Alexander Kolodin -- said that the case could set precedent nationally related to other NDAs and spark more litigation. The city of Phoenix owns the arena and the Suns are its primary tenant and manage the building. The NBA team wants to renovate the arena, which opened in '92 (Mike Sunnucks, Staff Writer).
DIFFERENT KIND OF DRIVE: In Sacramento, Noel Harris reported Levi's Stadium will "once again welcome Stadiumlinks to transform the football field into a nine-hole golf course June 8-10." This will be the second year in a row the 49ers' home "will host the event." The course design this year "will be different than last year" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 5/1).
