Venue News & Notes: Nats Do Worst-to-First Their Way

Following in the footsteps of the Tampa Bay Rays, the Washington Nationals have completed their own version of worst-to-first — at least when it comes to technology. The Nationals’ new ballpark is the first in the league to deploy an 802.11n wireless network.
… MLB’s last-place team became the first to go wireless. The Washington Nationals, which finished the 2008 season with the worst record in baseball, are installing an 802.11n wireless LAN at their new ballpark. Deployed throughout the stadium and its outdoor areas, the LAN will serve as the network backbone for stadium operations, fan services, and Internet access. Meru Networks of Sunnyvale, CA, provided the network…
…With the clock running on Ottawa’s bid to bring the CFL back to Canada’s capital, its potential ownership group made its latest play by unveiling plans for a revamped home for the team. A group of area developers is proposing an ambitious $120 million makeover that would see
Lansdowne
Park and its dilapidated Frank Clair Stadium converted into a 25,000-seat sports facility with adjacent amphitheatre, aquarium, and hotel as well as retail, office and green space…
…The Washington Nationals are expected to pay $3.5 million in withheld rent to the D.C. government, now that the two sides have resolved a construction-related dispute at the ballpark. The long stalemate is expected to be resolved Monday when the Nationals transfer the money to the city. In return, the city will pay nearly $4 million for stadium improvements before the end of the year…
…
Rutgers
University expects to sell its football-stadium-naming rights to a New Jersey-based company for $1.5 million-$2 million annually before next year’s season opener. Four companies are interested in putting their name on the stadium in
Piscataway for 15-30 years…
…As expected, the full Detroit City Council voted this week to delay demolition of Tiger Stadium after a group trying to preserve the historic former home of the Detroit Tigers raised the money necessary to save it, at least temporarily. The Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy has paid $69,000 to the city for security and maintenance at the stadium and put $150,000 into an escrow account. It must pay an additional $150,000 into an escrow account by Dec. 11.