Slots Vision in Question

Paul Morose is in vintage form, at his gloomily eloquent best on ESPN.com writing about the current woes in the industry; he's right at home in this grim territory. I can almost discern a smile in that little scowling picture. Turning to the travesty here in New York, he notes that Governor Paterson's "visionary capacity is in question." That got me annoyed, though I don't know whether it's because I think it's another cheap shot at the governor's handicap, or because I wish I'd thought of it first.

I think we can just forget about that quick action on finding a new operator promised by the governor and Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith. It's a dead issue as far as the budget for the next fiscal year goes; in fact, E.J. McMahon, director of the Empire Center for New York State Policy, writes in the NY Post that the state will need to use cash from the federal stimulus money to plug the $370 million gap. So I don't see why there would be any urgency at least until after the March 31 budget deadline....and that's assuming that the budget comes in on time.

Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer told the Queens Chronicle that “Delaware North was never our first choice."

“There were others that not only had a better working relationship with our community, but also had a more fiscally viable project. Delaware North was chosen for their promise to pay $370 million up front, and they have lost the deal because of their inability to live up to that commitment.” [Queens Chronicle]

Ms. Pheffer also said that she would like to see Paterson review the proposals of the losing bidders rather than stage a re-bidding process. I'd imagine however that those companies are going to want to review those proposals themselves in light of the present circumstances.

Jeffrey Hartmann, the COO of Mohegan Sun, reiterated his company's interest in re-bidding for the project. However, he told the Connecticut website TheDay.com that they have yet to decide whether they will again partner with Capital Play. So perhaps Karl O'Farrell was making assumpions, or speaking for himself when he said that his company was ready with the same offer as before.

Foxwoods president Gary Armentrout said that his company, which did not make the final cut first time around, would take a fresh look. But he issued a caution which is likely on any and all the bidders' minds:

Armentrout said it took New York officials nearly a year to consider bids the first time around, and noted that conditions in the credit markets and the overall financial climate have changed considerably since then. “Hopefully, the new RFP will take all of that into account,” he said. [TheDay.com]

- "It's been a long time since I heard a speech like that," said the Rangers' Scott Gomez. "There were intense words," said Paul Mara. Both players were referring to an apparent tirade unleashed by coach John Tortorella after the team trailed Nashville 2-1 after the first period last night. Whatever he said, screamed, or threw, man, did it light a fire; I haven't seen the team skate with such ferocity and purpose in some time. The 4-2 win puts them back into a precarious playoff spot - for now - with 14 games to go.