CItigroup affirmed its commitment to naming rights for the new Mets ballpark, despite a recent downturn in its stock price.Citigroup officials reaffirmed their commitment to the firm’s naming-rights deal for Citi Field, despite a downturn in the firm’s stock price. Reuters had named unnamed sources as saying the nation’s second-largest bank was looking to shed […]
Author Archive | Kevin Reichard
In a departure from norm, Mariners post loss
The only team required to make financial records public as part of a lease, the Seattle Mariners claimed a loss for 2009 — a possible bellwether for MLB. The Seattle Mariners are considered one of the most profitable teams in Major League Baseball, so the team’s announcement of an operating loss for the 2008 season […]
Judge dismisses final challenge to Marlins ballpark financing
Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Jeri Beth Cohen rules the financing plan is not subject to citizen referendum, killing Norm Braman’s last challenge. Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Jeri Beth Cohen ruled today the financing plan for a new Florida Marlins ballpark is not subject to citizen referendum, killing Norm Braman’s last challenge to the project. Though totally expected, […]
New for 2009: Camelback Ranch
The new Glendale (Az.) spring home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox will be named Camelback Ranch, as the teams (for now) eschew a naming-rights deal.The new Glendale (Az.) spring home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox will be named Camelback Ranch, as the teams (for now) eschew a […]
Development delayed near new Springdale ballpark
The bad economy and the lack of a game plan is slowing down development around Arvest Ballpark, home of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.The bad economy and the lack of a game plan is slowing down development around Arvest Ballpark, home of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Class AA; Texas League). Springdale (Ark.) officials were briefed on […]
Arvest Ballpark / Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Arvest Ballpark is a ballpark that proudly eschews the trends in ballpark design over the last decade. There are no retro qualities to Arvest Ballpark: it’s thoroughly modern, featuring lots of glass and no exposed steel. FAST FACTS Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 5,500 Cost: $50 million for entire project, including road work Owner: City of […]
Memorial Stadium slated to be torn down
The former home of the Fort Wayne Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest League) will most likely be torn down to make room for parking.
Saints poke fun at contentious Senate race with “Re-Count”
The St. Paul Saints make light of a patently absurd situation in Minnesota politics.With Norm Coleman and Al Franken locked up in a contentious recount to see which candidate lands in the U.S. Senate, the St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) are marking the occasion with a unique bobblehead promotion. A figurine given out at […]
Wolff: Ottawa is in Can-Am League in ’09
League will run franchise if a local buyer can’t be found.Can-Am Association Commissioner Miles Wolff committed to his league fielding a team next season at Ottawa Stadium, despite the decision by Zip.ca to fold the Ottawa Rapidz in the face of larger-than-expected losses during the 2008 season. Wolff made his comments at a press conference […]
Chiefs unveil new logos, marks to match Nats
The Syracuse Chiefs’ new alternate home jersey and hat are part of a new "On Track to Washington" theme prevalent in the team’s marketing for the upcoming season.The Syracuse Chiefs (Class AAA; International League) have unveiled a new alternate jersey and hat that will be worn by the team for select home games during the […]
Waterfront airport emerges as possible Rays ballpark site
As a committee attempts to find a home for a new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark, Albert Whitted Airport emerges as a possible site.Albert Whitted Airport, the small airport located on the St. Petersburg waterfront near Al Lang Field, is being touted by some as a potential site for a new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark. The […]
Portland ballpark financing request: Corporate welfare?
Merritt Paulson’s plan for $85 million in financing for new facilities in Portland is ripped by The Nation — and the irony is that Henry Paulson, one of the supposed beneficiaries of the plan, is supposedly as pissed about the proposal as the publication.Dave Zirin is a dogged opponent of public spending on sports facilities, […]
Northern League schedule released; no Burnsville team
As we’ve been predicting, there’s no Burnsville team in the lineup as the independent Northern League releases a six-team schedule for 2009.As we’ve been predicting, there’s no Burnsville team in the lineup as the independent Northern League releases a six-team schedule for 2009. League sources say the final schedule has been distributed to teams; look […]