In Cincinnati, Paul Dehner Jr. notes earlier this year plans were "put into place to back a bid by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra on a lot directly next to Paul Brown Stadium." The Bengals have "threatened to veto the move and prefer it on Lot 24, further away from the stadium and leaving the parking lot for tailgaters." Bengals Owner Mike Brown said, "For us, for me, it’s relatively simple. My job is to protect the interest of our football team. My job is to help our fans have what they want. For our fans it is better for them if they have this area for tailgating. There is another option for this location. I happen to think the other option is a better option" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 7/25).
LET THERE BE LIGHT: In Detroit, Annalise Frank noted the Lions are "seeing the light -- solar-powered light -- at Ford Field and their training facility in Allen Park." Mooresville, N.C.-based Power Home Solar "installed the Lions' first solar panels, which will power Ford Field's parking garage lights and offset a portion of electrical costs in Allen Park." Power Home Solar CEO Jayson Waller said that the company is investing $1.5M with the Lions over three years, including a "sponsorship deal and panel costs." The company will sponsor a Power Home Solar Lions "pregame show and display advertisements in the stadium." It also gets an "outdoor pregame booth" (CRAINSDETROIT.com, 7/24).
SELF PROTECTION: Univ. of Miami Senior Associate AD/Development Jesse Marks said that the first phase of the school's 83,000-square-foot football indoor practice facility is "expected to be completed sometime in August." In Miami, Susan Miller Degnan notes the air-conditioned facility will have "two fields, one 80 yards long and the other 40 yards, the smaller field underneath the mezzanine" where coach Mark Richt’s office will be. Marks said that the football operations area is "under construction." That part of the project will "encompass nearly 30,000 square feet, will be self-enclosed and will have 'all new football offices, team meeting rooms, coaches’ offices and all new recruiting areas’' and will be attached to the Hecht Athletic Center (MIAMI HERALD, 7/25).
