May 27, 2005
Jets, Javits set split of space
At least the New York Jets have resolved one thing about their beleaguered stadium deal: The team and the neighboring Jacob Javits Convention Center have agreed to a memorandum of understanding on who would control the stadium on non-game days, which as you may recall has been an issue for some time now. Under the deal the Jets would "black out" four weekends of each football season years in advance so that the Javits can book conventions for then; otherwise, the team would have first dibs on the facility for football games and preparation, and would have the exclusive right to book it for "sports and entertainment" events. (Presumably this means the Jets would get all the revenue from these events as well, though the New York Sun article didn't say.)
State assemblymember Richard Gottfried, one of the leading critics of the stadium plan, immediately pointed out a potential problem with this scenario: "The Jets will want to book events that pay high rent, like concerts, but don't necessarily bring people from out of town, while the convention business is interested in low rents if they attract tourists that will boost the city's economy."
Meanwhile, WNYC radio reports that the state Public Authorities Control Board will hold its much-delayed stadium vote next week; it doesn't appear, however, that Gov. Pataki has set an exact date yet. A court ruling in the lawsuits against the sale of state rail yards to the Jets is also expected next week, likely on Thursday.
