Venue News: Dolphins Fail to Get Public Funding for Stadium Renovation; Warriors Release Designs for Proposed Arena
Compiled by Karen Hogan, Associate Editor, Sports Video Group
A proposal by the Miami Dolphins to use taxpayer money to help finance an upgrade of the NFL team’s stadium failed on Friday to win broad support among Florida state lawmakers, dealing a potential blow to Miami’s bid to host the 2016 Super Bowl. The Dolphins, owned by real estate tycoon Stephen Ross, lobbied the state legislature for months to back a bill to increase hotel taxes in Miami-Dade County to finance nearly half of a proposed $350 million renovation of the Sun Life Stadium, which is privately owned. But a bill that passed the Florida Senate this week proposing that the tax increase to 7% from 6% stalled in the House of Representatives on Friday, the last day of this year’s legislative session…
…The Golden State Warriors on Sunday unveiled new detailed designs for their proposed San Francisco waterfront arena and nearby development ahead of a bevy of public hearings in the coming weeks. The new design incorporates more maritime uses, more open space on Piers 30-32 just south of the Bay Bridge, and lowered building heights and scaled-back retail, the team announced. The design also now incorporates some very large areas of transparent glass that give views out toward the waterfront. In a new feature, a large window would frame a view of the Bay Bridge from inside and would allow people outside to see in — much like the opening in the outfield fence at AT&T Park…
…The PGA Tour took a huge step toward keeping its fans in touch when it permitted cellphones on the golf course starting in 2011. Now, some tournaments are going a step further by installing Wi-Fi hot spots around the course for the first time. Time Warner Cable, a sponsor of last weekend’s Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, installed 14 Wi-Fi devices in spectator areas at the Quail Hollow Club. This week’s Players Championship will have Wi-Fi available on a more limited basis at popular gathering spots like The Grove, a highly trafficked eating area near the famous 17th hole. Each hospitality area also has its own private Wi-Fi…
…Outdoor hockey is coming to Southern California. The poorly kept secret that the Los Angeles Kings will host the Anaheim Ducks at Dodger Stadium next season was officially announced the by the NHL on Monday, part of the previously announced 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series. The game will be held on Jan. 25 — the heart of whatever winter they have in Los Angeles. The game will start at 7 p.m. PT/10 ET, under the lights at Dodger Stadium, with the hope that the temperature won’t be too high…
…First it was the roof, now it’s the name. Brazil’s much maligned readiness for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janiero took a major hit when the stadium that will host track and field’s biggest Olympic stars was shut down in March due to structural issues with the roof. Now Estadio Olimpico Joao Havelange in downtown Rio is facing criticism of a different kind. Protesters want the stadium’s name changed after soccer’s governing body said Joao Havelange, a former FIFA president, took bribes for World Cup contracts. Havelange was forced to step down as honorary president because of his involvement in the case.