In Philadelphia, Jonathan Tannenwald noted the Union "moved three games of their USL affiliate Bethlehem Steel out of Talen Energy Stadium, and admitted along the way that the new pitch installed at the venue continues to have problems." A camp-out night that was planned for after Saturday’s Red Bulls-Union match was also canceled. Last November, the Union "put in a new grass playing surface for the first time in nine years." It "didn’t take root well, and clumps of sod have come up during games all year" (INQUIRER.com, 6/7).
TILL DEATH DO US PART? In Las Vegas, Alan Snel noted Raiders execs are "thinking that if they can gain control of the 155-acre Bali Hai Golf Club near their stadium site," they would "consider using the land for more than just stadium parking." Ideas discussed include "creating a Raiders-theme wedding chapel." Snel: "And can you dig this? How about a Raiders-themed cemetery? It’s all about finding new revenue-generating sources" (LVSPORTSBIZ.com, 6/6).
HOLD THAT THOUGHT: In New Jersey, Joe Malinconico notes the developer proposing to build an arena and hotel at the Center City Mall in Patterson, N.J., said that the $100M project "will not go forward" unless Mayor Andre Sayegh supports the use of $40M in "state tax credits as part of the financing." Alma Realty Development Dir Ruben Gomez said that his company "will drop its ambitious arena plans if it cannot get the state tax credits" (NORTHJERSEY.com, 6/10).
