The New York Mets avoided arbitration with P John Maine earlier today, inking the righthander to a one-year, $2.6 million pact. If a pair of out of town Congressmen have anything to say about it, said funds will come from somewhere else besides the $20 million annual naming rights deal with Mets signed with the floundering Citigroup. From Newsday’s Keith Herbert.
Reps. Dennis Kucinich (above, D-Ohio) and Ted Poe (R-Texas) sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner requesting he “dissolve” the contract with the Mets to name their stadium Citi Field.
Kucinich and Poe wrote that Citigroup’s financial footing “has changed drastically” since the naming rights deal was struck in 2006.
Steve Silverman, a spokesman for Citigroup in Manhattan, called the contract with the Mets a “legally binding agreement” signed two years ago.
The representatives’ letter requests Geithner demand that “Citigroup dissolve the agreement” with the Mets.
“Absent this outcome, we feel strongly that you should compel Citigroup to return immediately all federal money received to date, as well as cancel all loan guarantees,” the letter stated.
Under Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program, Citigroup received about $45 billion in taxpayers’ dollars in recent months.
That infusion of cash gives Treasury officials authority to “protect the public’s interest,” Kucinich said.
Why doesnt the government worry about more important things than citifield and roger clemens steroids? people are losing their jobs daily and we are waging two wars and all they are worried about is the name of the mets new stadium? what a joke this is why we are in the rough shape we are in, the senate and congress are pathetic!!!!
Absolutely agree with Mr. Kozlowsky’s comments. According to OpenSecrets.org, the Financial Sector made over $430MM in total political contributions during the 2007-2008 campaign cycle, ~$200,000 of that money went directly to the campaigns of Senators Poe and Kucinich. Are provisions for the return of this money included in their letter, as well?
Being lectured on finicial responsibility from the guy who bankrupted Cleveland is like getting advice from O.J. Simpson on how not to beat your wife.