Owners approve loan for Giants, Jets
The New York Giants and Jets will receive $300 million in funding help from NFL owners for their new stadium at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J.
The ballpark is projected to cost between $1.1 and $1.2 billion.
The owners approved the league stadium financing request, a loan, at the NFL owners meeting in Frisco, Texas, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said.
“It’s absolutely important to have a world-class facility in the No. 1 market for the NFL,” commissioner Roger Goodell said after the meeting.
The teams are jointly financing the stadium, which is expected to open in 2010 and seat between 82,500 and 84,000. Construction is expected to begin next spring.
Jets owner Woody Johnson applauded his fellow owners for approving the loan.
“They all recognize the importance of having a modern facility in the largest media market in the world,” Johnson said from an airport in Texas after attending the meeting. “They voted for the league.”
In a statement, Johnson and Giants owners John Mara and Steve Tisch said their goal is to create a new stadium that will revolutionize and enhance the experience for the fans.
The owners also approved a $42.5 million loan for renovations of Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Council expects rising cap
The NFL’s salary cap is expected to go up by about $7 million per team in each of the next two seasons, reaching about $116 million for 2008.
The figures, which are approximations, were announced by members of the league’s management council at a meeting with team financial officers at Grapevine, Texas.
Delhomme sits out
Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme missed practice again with ligament damage in the thumb on his throwing hand, increasing the chance backup Chris Weinke will start on Sunday against the New York Giants.
“It’s just real sore,” Delhomme said. “There’s a lot of swelling and we’re trying to get the swelling out. I think the big issue is strength and how much strength I have in it.”
Delhomme said although he’s having trouble gripping the ball, he may try to practice today.
Hamstring hampers Bear
Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris, who made the Pro Bowl a year ago, could miss the remainder of the season with a severe hamstring injury.
Harris left Sunday’s game against Minnesota in the third quarter with what was originally announced as a sprained left knee.
But coach Lovie Smith said the hamstring injury was more severe than the knee sprain and that Harris was slated to go to Dallas to see a specialist. He added that Harris could miss the remaining four regular-season games and perhaps even the playoffs.
Lambeau changes begin
The famous tundra at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., is getting a modern update at the end of the season that will include a new surface, drainage and heating system.
In the meantime, the middle portion of the field is being replaced this week before the Packers play their final two home games in the span of five days beginning Dec. 17.