Yankees close to new stadium deal

[Guest Wrestling_Man]

NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees are close to reaching an agreement with city and state governments to build a new stadium, the Daily News reported Saturday.

Citing unnamed sources, the newspaper reported that lawyers from the city, state and team are completing a "memorandum of understanding" and that an announcement is expected around May 1.

While government and team officials did not comment directly about plans or the pending agreement, the newspaper said they did confirm that they are in the final stages.

"We're working very closely with the city and the state and trying to finalize our current plan," Yankees president Randy Levine told the Daily News. "We expect to announce it in the near future, and we hope to break ground in 2006 and be ready to play in 2009."

The new stadium will be built just north of the existing facility in the Bronx, and is designed to seat 50,800. That's smaller than the current capacity of 57,478, but the new ballpark will have more luxury suites.

The newspaper, citing officials familiar with the plans, reported that the new stadium will be comprised of two separate structures: an exterior wall, designed to replicate the original Yankee Stadium built in 1923, and the interior stadium itself.

The stadium construction will cost approximately $800 million and will be fully paid for by the team. The city and state will spend $300 million to build a new commuter rail station, improve parking, and create parkland along the nearby waterfront.

The new stadium will feature copper lattice work around its roof, much like the 1923 stadium. The new facility will also have expanded retail and concession areas.

AP NEWS

The Associated Press News Service

Source: cbssportsline.com

Edited April 16, 2005 by Wrestling_Man

[Jester of Death]

The New one will be called the House that Harmon Construction Inc. Built

Anyways, Yankee Stadium has alot of history, but the Yankees Management wouldn't get a new field if it wasn't imperative that they need it

[sahyder1]

Yeah, I hate the Yankees with every fabric of my being but I don't really wanna see them move either. Living in the tri-state area I've had the chance to go to Yankee stadium and sit with the bleacher creatures and I find it hard to believe there's much in baseball that tops that. Yankee Stadium, Wrigley Field and Fenway should never be touched. Now ofcourse I understand the business aspect of it.....but the Yankees still do sell out like crazy. I'm not sure how much extra revenue these extra luxury suites are gonna create but there's too much history to leave behind. How can you possibly have another monument park? Now I like that they're gonna pay tribute to the old Yankee Stadium and create a replica of the wall on the outside but still....I'm not too sure about this.

How much does someone wanna bet that if this Yankee Championship drought continues on into the new stadium.....people are gonna start talking about a 2nd curse of the Bambino (eventhough the drought would've started long before then)

[Lowerdeck]

I hate the Yankees, don't plan on ever going to a Yankee home game. Not sure how the conditions at the Stadium are.

Yes, it has lots of history. Yes, perhaps it should be preserved. But if there's news of a new stadium making, there must be a reason for this day to come. Yankee Stadium is over 80 years old, probably not in good shape - though I'm not sure. And it can't last forever.

On a side thought - Fenway.... needs to be completely gutted and redone. Seating areas are shit and amenities aren't all that great. Not close to state of the art anything. The ownership group has been trying to fix things, but Fenway might never be THAT great unless it gets a huge overhaul.

[Cactus Drags]

No-one cares about history/tradition in sports anymore

[Hellfire]

I think if the stadium isn't falling down then they should leave it. It has history, think of all the great ballplayers that have been there. I am a Boston fan and hate the yankes, but I will still be sad if they get rid of the stadium.