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NEW YORK - Jets fans have been calling the team's offices ever since owner Woody Johnson announced March 25 that he would invest $800-million in a new stadium on the far west side of Manhattan.
The fans are not asking about the striking design for the proposed glass-and-steel stadium with a retractable roof, but they are voicing a fear that they, and not Johnson, will pick up the tab in the form of sharply higher prices for tickets, parking, beer, hot dogs and sweat shirts.
L. Jay Cross, the president of the Jets, said the team would build its stadium on the backs of "high rollers" and advertisers, not on the average season-ticket holder. But George Zoffinger, the president of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and the Jets' landlord at the Meadowlands, contends the new stadium will be so expensive that only "75,000 investment bankers and no fans will be able to afford it."
The Jets' investment not only will be the largest put up by a pro sports team, but the stadium itself will also cost $1.4-billion. That sum is two to three times more than was put up for any of the four NFL stadiums - for Detroit, New England, Seattle and Houston - that opened in 2002.
Taxpayers would provide the other $600-million, though the Jets are responsible for cost overruns, a common feature of stadium projects.
At New England in 2001, a family of four spent an average of $285 to see the Patriots play at Foxboro Stadium and buy some hot dogs, sodas and two ball caps. Last year at the new stadium, that same family paid an average of $405.22, according to Team Marketing Report's fan cost index.
Zoffinger has estimated ticket prices would have to jump from an average of $72 to as much as $130.
Jets executives contend that it is possible to finance the $800-million in a Manhattan market that is home to many Fortune 500 companies and many wealthy people.
The Jets complain that their current share of the parking, advertising and concessions at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., barely keeps up with the $7-million a year they pay in rent.
CLARETT CASE: The NCAA filed a legal brief in support of the NFL's appeal to keep former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett out of the draft.
NCAA president Myles Brand said the governing body asked the federal appeals court to consider six points regarding antitrust legislation before issuing a decision. The points were not cited in the statement.
The court will hear the dispute over whether Clarett can enter the NFL draft less than a week before its April 24 start. The NFL has asked the court to overturn a lower court ruling that said the league's rule - that a player must be out of high school three years for draft eligibility - violated antitrust law.
BENGALS: Safety Kevin Kaesviharn signed a three-year contract. He was on the field for 312 special-teams plays last season, the most on the team.
DOLPHINS: Safety Antuan Edwards signed a one-year deal. Edwards started 10 games for Green Bay last season.