The New York Mets owners are in such financial trouble they are looking to build a casino next to Citi Field, the New York Post reports.
The Post says the Mets’ development company, Sterling Equities, submitted plans to build a massive casino and hotel on the Willets Point development site in Queens, adjacent to Citi Field.
Live table gaming is illegal in New York except on tribal land, but the Mets reportedly are hoping some alternative plans might help their case. They reportedly have an agreement for the Shinnecock Indiana Nation to operate the proposed casino, and they are hoping the state legislature approves a constitutional amendment to legalize table gaming.
The team’s casino proposal reportedly was put forth in September 2011, about two and a half years after Bernie Madoff pleaded guilty to running a Ponzi scheme that cost investors an estimated $18 billion. The Mets owners insisted they were not in financial trouble despite being investors in Madoff’s company, though they were looking to take on minority owners in past years in order to raise funds.
The Mets were awarded 23 of 62 acres for the city-owned property and currently use it for parking. The city may not approve use of the land for a casino, but it’s notable that the Mets owners were attempting to do this.
As if Fred Wilpon (pictured) and Saul Katz were not getting enough money from fans by charging $7 hot dogs, $10 beers, and $100 tickets, they want to stick it to you at the blackjack table too. Real classy, fellas.
