(PARAMUS) – Following the second meeting of New Jersey’s Legislative Gaming Summit today, Assemblywoman Connie Wagner, who participated in the summit, questioned the logic behind the decision to close the Meadowlands race track on NFL game days.
“The whole point of this summit is to think outside the box to generate ways to revitalize the state’s entertainment and gaming industries. When I see signs advertising that the Meadowlands will be closed Sunday and Monday due to NFL football, it just blows my mind.
“We have a captive audience on these days. Over 80,000 fans show up, usually hours in advance, to take part in game day festivities. Why not open up the track early so revelers can take part in a ‘double feature’ – racing and a game?
“This could also be a means to help introduce horse racing to a potentially new generation of fans. I just can’t comprehend why the NJ Sports and Exposition Authority would agree to a deal with the new stadium to close the racetrack on NFL days when it denies the state valuable revenue and the horse racing industry valuable exposure.
“By this logic, will Xanadu be forced to be closed if Monday night football is in town? It’s time to start putting together a cohesive plan that will enable each component in the Meadowlands to build each other up, not tear each other down,” said Wagner (D-Bergen).