In Indianapolis, Chris Sikich notes a recent poll shows that "little support exists in Central Indiana for lending taxpayer support to professional sports stadiums." The survey, conducted in December by the IUPUI Sports Innovation Institute, comes as Indianapolis officials and state lawmakers consider deals to keep the Pacers "in town for the long term and fund a new arena" for USL club Indy Eleven. The poll found that 23% of respondents support taxpayer funds for a soccer arena and 34% support subsidies for Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The poll "didn't dig into whether taxpayers would support incentives if it meant keeping a team in town or attracting a new team" (INDYSTAR.com, 1/29).
ROCKING & ROLLING: In Milwaukee, Piet Levy noted in terms of concert business, the Bucks' Fiserv Forum is "off to a tremendous start." The venue opened last September with a Killers/Violent Femmes concert, and its first full year of operation "could see as many as 30 concerts and comedy events." Just a few days into '19, and "excluding family and sporting events, Fiserv Forum already has 18 shows set for this year" (JSONLINE.com, 1/25).
NOT SO FAST: In North Carolina, Ryan Wilcox of UNC student newspaper the DAILY TAR HEEL noted the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams "will not begin" their '19 seasons on a renovated Fetzer Field next month. Instead, both teams will "hold their home games in Kenan Memorial Stadium to start the year." UNC Associate AD/Facility Planning & Management Mike Bunting said the school is "very, very confident" that the teams will transition to playing at Fetzer Field during the season (DAILYTARHEEL.com, 1/28).
